Okay shotgunner's, I'm not much of a shotgun guy, i own a Remington 870 wingmaster and have shot it twice in the last 20years. I am looking at archery hunting and live in northern Sask., lots of black bears and wolves. So I want to pack something besides a bow. I was looking at the Mossberg 88 maverick for $190. Someone said to me no no, only get a 870 or 500 for reliability and defense! So my question is what's wrong with the 88?
Maverick model 88? Opinions.
- Thread starter GRiNGo
- Start date
I own a 590 and an '88, both never let me down.
Some people have told me that the lower cost of a Maverick is from the placement/location of the safety, or that the aluminium is of a lower grade than the 500/590's. Ive shot both shotguns with all sorts of ammo and never had any issues. The Mavrick seems a bit tighter to pump, but that could be the 'fit' or 'finish' of the internal parts.
That's my opinion.
Some people have told me that the lower cost of a Maverick is from the placement/location of the safety, or that the aluminium is of a lower grade than the 500/590's. Ive shot both shotguns with all sorts of ammo and never had any issues. The Mavrick seems a bit tighter to pump, but that could be the 'fit' or 'finish' of the internal parts.
That's my opinion.
- Location
- Not really sure.
I think im gunna buy one with 18.5" and pistol grip. Whats a respectable price, theres one down the road at a gun shop from me but not sure what they are asking for it.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
I'd say 125-175 depending on condition, and if they include the regular shoulder stock. I paid 140 for mine and it was MINT. The guy only shot 2 boxes of buckshot out of it in 2 years. Then moved to Australia (for some inane , mentally challenged reason, and sold off almost all of his guns...........dummy) Why the hell would you move to a nanny state when you could live here, shoot your 88 whenever you wanted , pretty much wherever you wanted.
Suka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Say Maverick, think Mossberg. Bought one for wife couple yrs ago now. Completely reliable so far. Set it beside my wingmaster it appears to me mossberg took an 870 and copied it, except where the rem. has machined parts the mav. is stamped.
It's, "rattly feeling" compared to my well used remington and I while I've had my wingmaster for at least 30 years, I'd expect to replace the maverick every few years if it is used. Maybe I'm wrong about having to replace it, but I don't think so. The action while trouble free is not exactly smooth compared to the 870.
That being said, it's a brand new, reliable gun for very little money and if I was to do over I'd still buy the 88 field for my wife at 200+change over a used 870 for 350. For a first or little used shotgun I think it's a good choice, especially with screw in choke and 3" shell steel shot capable.. If you're looking to buy one to use lot's every year for the rest of your life however, look elsewhere is my 2 cents.
It's, "rattly feeling" compared to my well used remington and I while I've had my wingmaster for at least 30 years, I'd expect to replace the maverick every few years if it is used. Maybe I'm wrong about having to replace it, but I don't think so. The action while trouble free is not exactly smooth compared to the 870.
That being said, it's a brand new, reliable gun for very little money and if I was to do over I'd still buy the 88 field for my wife at 200+change over a used 870 for 350. For a first or little used shotgun I think it's a good choice, especially with screw in choke and 3" shell steel shot capable.. If you're looking to buy one to use lot's every year for the rest of your life however, look elsewhere is my 2 cents.
They are just as reliable as a 500. The safety is different and the forearm is of one piece. I sold my beautiful mint 3" wingmaster deluxe and bought 2 more mossbergs I don't have an 88 bit have friends that beat on there's then leave them in a case in their trucks year round never oiled or cleaned. The barrels are rusted and pitted (not a mark on receivers except dings and scratches) but trhey go bang everytime. For $200 new why not? All 500 barrels fit them as well
It's a bare bones mossy 500 rebranded as the 'budget brand'. As in think of it as a no options mossberg 500. If you plan to add sights to it get the mossberg 500 as it comes pre-tapped.
Differences are:
Cross bolt safety
foregrip does not have metal slide under the plastic
receiver not tapped from factory
parts made in mexico and assembled in the US
Differences are:
Cross bolt safety
foregrip does not have metal slide under the plastic
receiver not tapped from factory
parts made in mexico and assembled in the US
Mav 88 is a reliable cheap, and a little notchy feeling compaged to a nice smooth 870 Wingmaster, but all round as a bush shot gun, I have one and like it a lot.
a little lighter than an 870 cause the reveiver is aluminum, but for the price, if it gets lost or banged up - who cares. Goes bang every time, and works very well.
best deal out there, for around 200.
a little lighter than an 870 cause the reveiver is aluminum, but for the price, if it gets lost or banged up - who cares. Goes bang every time, and works very well.
best deal out there, for around 200.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Just buy a spare barrel for the Wingmaster (should be able to find a fixed full choke 30" for <$100) and chop it down to legal minimums (18.5" for the barrel, 26" total if im not mistaken) if this is strictly a bear defense gun.
The Wingmaster is a FAR FAR superior firearm in every way. If you're serious about protecting yourself, use the best gun you can, not the cheapest one on the rack.
The Wingmaster is a FAR FAR superior firearm in every way. If you're serious about protecting yourself, use the best gun you can, not the cheapest one on the rack.
Bah Humbug,
The 88 is just as accurate and reliable as the more expensive ones. If you KNOW its gonna work when you need it to, why pay more. I can see the difference when buying a Remington 770 or the like, as reliabilty issues often rear their ugly head with rifles. But, cmon, this is a take anywhere, no worry shotgun. Why buy a wingmaster, then a barrel, then chop it, and have to add a front bead or sight, when you can do just as well with a gun half as much and need to do no work to it whatsoever. JMHO
That's just making a simple problem into an unnecessarily complicated one. The 88 has twin action bars like the 500, so no problems.
- Location
- Grande Prairie, Alberta
can someone sticky my response to the Maverick reliability questions so i don't have to keep typing it out? lol.
i have over 6000 rounds through my Maverick. cleaned it a half dozen times. dropped it, kicked it, threw it. mud, water, dirt, sand, snow, sleet, hail, slush, gravel. cheap ammo, expensive ammo, light loads, stupidly hot handloads. shot it until the barrel got so hot it started to change color. you name a way to abuse this gun, i've probably done it.
all i've done to it is replace the follower and mag spring. it takes the beating and keeps coming back for more. i love my Mossberg Maverick 88. anyone who says these guns are unreliable has no idea what they're talking about.
870's are all well and good, but i can't stand the ergonomics of them. the stock never seats nicely for me, the feel of them isn't very good in my hands and the simple fact of having the action release in front of the trigger guard and not behind it where it's easily reach means i won't ever buy one.
i have over 6000 rounds through my Maverick. cleaned it a half dozen times. dropped it, kicked it, threw it. mud, water, dirt, sand, snow, sleet, hail, slush, gravel. cheap ammo, expensive ammo, light loads, stupidly hot handloads. shot it until the barrel got so hot it started to change color. you name a way to abuse this gun, i've probably done it.
all i've done to it is replace the follower and mag spring. it takes the beating and keeps coming back for more. i love my Mossberg Maverick 88. anyone who says these guns are unreliable has no idea what they're talking about.
870's are all well and good, but i can't stand the ergonomics of them. the stock never seats nicely for me, the feel of them isn't very good in my hands and the simple fact of having the action release in front of the trigger guard and not behind it where it's easily reach means i won't ever buy one.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
I never said buy a new gun. I said buy another barrel for the Wingmaster he already has ( i routinely see them for like $50) and take a hack saw to it (being sure to maintain legal length). Hi-viz snap on sight for $10 and away you go. He said he wants it for bear/wolf defense, not as a hunting gun.
Did you even read what he posted? Or just the title?
OOOPS, My bad. Apologies. I missed the part (actually read the original post yesterday and being old, it was sucked into the alzheimers portion of my brain
) Thats a better Idea that you have. I only said what I said when I thought it was about WHICH one to purchase (of course forgetting the part that he already OWNS the Winny. Get the donor barrel like blasted saber said. My wife has already beaten me down to be able to admit my mistakes, so ..............I'm giving myself a beotchslap for you now saber
^^^^^This right here^^^^^ I will add that the Remington 870 weighs a freakin' ton compared to the Maverick/Mossberg.
