Advice on Mossberg Maverick 88 Models

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cabose369

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I know almost nothing when it comes to shotguns. So bare this in mind.

I am looking to get a shotgun to basically just use for skeet shooting.

I've used my cousins Maverick 88 Field many times, and it is good.

I've found that there are 3 models of the 88 available here in Canada. The Security, the Field, and the Field/Security. For the life of me I have no idea what the difference between these 3 models are (aside from price: $299, $339, and $399 respectively), and what they mean to me. I am hoping that you guys can help me out with what model makes the most sense for what I want to do, and why.

Thanks!
 
If you are shooting Skeet you will want to go with the "Field" model. It will have a 28" barrel. The field/security combo would come with 2 barrels, a 28" and an 18.5".
I've seen the field model with both fixed modified choke barrels and also interchangeable chokes. You would want one that accepts chokes if possible since a modified choke will be a little more difficult for Skeet than an Improved Cylinder or Skeet choke.
 
^^^^ What lipervitch said.

Keep in mind also that the Maverick 88 is Mossberg's "working man's" shotgun. Tough and reliable, but not as good quality as the 500 series and not as many after market upgrade parts.
If your serious about getting into Skeet on a budget, you may want to consider the slight increase in price to go with a 500.
 
Elkbooger said:
^^^^ What lipervitch said.

Keep in mind also that the Maverick 88 is Mossberg's "working man's" shotgun. Tough and reliable, but not as good quality as the 500 series and not as many after market upgrade parts.
If your serious about getting into Skeet on a budget, you may want to consider the slight increase in price to go with a 500.
Click to expand...

I actually bought a Mossberg 500 for skeet shooting when I first got started and it worked really well for me. It also comes with the 3 choke tubes. (M,IC, F). I used the IC when I'm skeet shooting.
 
All three models of Maverick 88 that you listed are exactly the same gun. The only difference is the barrel that comes with it.

The security barrel is useless. It doesn't have chokes. The bead is way too low on the barrel, so it shoots two feet higher than point of aim.

The 28" vent-rib barrel with screw-in chokes is what you want. The rib has twin beads, gives a great sight picture, and shoots to point of aim.

Cabelas usually the best price in Canada on the Maverick 88. They usually sell them for $300

ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/3819/maverick-88-3-12-gauge-pump-shotgun

It will come with only one screw-in choke. It will be a "modified" choke which is a good medium choke to get you started.
You can buy more chokes for it. (Mossberg Accu-choke.) They're pretty inexpensive and easy to find.

With the exception of the safety; The Maverick 88 receiver is the same as the 500.
Any aftermarket stock or barrel for the 500 will fit the Maverick 88.
 
I appreciate everyone's advice! I checked out the 500 and 88 today and I could tell the weight difference between the 2. My local gun store has an awesome deal on the Field/Security combo for $350. I am going to keep my eyes on the EE on the 500's, like the one linked by jparent. I prefer all black shotguns personally, otherwise that linked 500 would be good. I don't mind starting with an 88, and deciding to move up to something better down the road.

Dexter Morgan, the one you showed at Cabela's, and the Field model at Cabela's, are a bit different. The Field model seems to be 4" shorter, and has different sights on the barrel if Cabela's website is to be deemed accurate. I'm assuming the barrel is different as well. How do these differences affect me, and what I would want to do with the shotgun?

gwhysow said:
Advice...don't buy one.
Click to expand...

I am curious as to why you feel this way.
 
They are a fine entry level shotgun, my brother rocked a Mavrick in the duck blind for over a decade, that thing took hundreds of ducks and geese in some truly horrible conditions at times,,he beat the living crap out of that gun and it never failed to function.
The only reason he stopped using it was I got sick of looking at it and bought him an SXP for Christmas a couple of years ago :)
They aren't pretty, they rattle and are sloppy, but they do work
 
The Field model seems to be 4" shorter, and has different sights on the barrel if Cabela's website is to be deemed accurate. I'm assuming the barrel is different as well. How do these differences affect me, and what I would want to do with the shotgun?
Click to expand...

If the gun you're looking at has a 24" barrel with rifle sights; Don't buy it.

That's a rifled slug barrel. You can't use it for shooting clays.

You want the 28" barrel with vent rib.
 
Dexter Morgan said:
If the gun you're looking at has a 24" barrel with rifle sights; Don't buy it.

That's a rifled slug barrel. You can't use it for shooting clays.

You want the 28" barrel with vent rib.
Click to expand...

Here is the one I was looking at: ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/38512/maverick-88-field-slug-pump-shotgun

Please let me know if this is the barrel that would not be suitable for clays.

BDSL said:
I know two places that sell them....Tenda and Rangeview. Both are vendors here....with free shipping!!!
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FOC also has them. I have not been to Tenda yet, but I have heard good things. Rangeview is my local gun store. I bought my Glock 17 Gen 5 from them last week. My plan is to buy from them, and support local gun stores whenever possible. They have the 28"/18.5" combo on sale in store.


Also going to throw a random curveball in here. While at FOC I handled a Benelli Super Nova Tactical. Suffice to say I fell in love with it. Would the Benelli Nova 28" (or Super Nova 28") be something to consider as a possibility? I realize that the Nova is probably better than the 88, but would I notice/appreciate/care about the differences for what I want to do?
 
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cabose369 said:
Here is the one I was looking at: ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/38512/maverick-88-field-slug-pump-shotgun

Please let me know if this is the barrel that would not be suitable for clays.



FOC also has them. I have not been to Tenda yet, but I have heard good things. Rangeview is my local gun store. I bought my Glock 17 Gen 5 from them last week. My plan is to buy from them, and support local gun stores whenever possible. They have the 28"/18.5" combo on sale in store.


Also going to throw a random curveball in here. While at FOC I handled a Benelli Super Nova Tactical. Suffice to say I fell in love with it. Would the Benelli Nova 28" (or Super Nova 28") be something to consider as a possibility? I realize that the Nova is probably better than the 88, but would I notice/appreciate/care about the differences for what I want to do?
Click to expand...

no this is the one youll want.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/3819/maverick-88-3-12-gauge-pump-shotgun
although this 88 is fixed choke. but the 500 combo is also on sale for 399
www.cabelas.ca/product/3964/mossberg-500-combo-3-12-gauge-pump-shotgun

I have a 88 thats a 8 shot with 20" barrel model. its always worked when I needed it and does exactly what I need it to do!
 
Here is the one I was looking at: ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/38512/maverick-88-field-slug-pump-shotgun
Please let me know if this is the barrel that would not be suitable for clays.
Click to expand...

Definitely NOT usable for shooting clays. That barrel is ONLY for shooting sabot slugs (for deer hunting).

This is the only one you want for shooting clays;

ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/3819/maverick-88-3-12-gauge-pump-shotgun
 
I got the security then picked up a 28 inch barrel later so you can dress for the occasion
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cabose369 said:
Here is the one I was looking at: ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/38512/maverick-88-field-slug-pump-shotgun

Please let me know if this is the barrel that would not be suitable for clays.



FOC also has them. I have not been to Tenda yet, but I have heard good things. Rangeview is my local gun store. I bought my Glock 17 Gen 5 from them last week. My plan is to buy from them, and support local gun stores whenever possible. They have the 28"/18.5" combo on sale in store.


Also going to throw a random curveball in here. While at FOC I handled a Benelli Super Nova Tactical. Suffice to say I fell in love with it. Would the Benelli Nova 28" (or Super Nova 28") be something to consider as a possibility? I realize that the Nova is probably better than the 88, but would I notice/appreciate/care about the differences for what I want to do?
Click to expand...

Yes, the quality of the Benelli is quite noticeable over the Maverick. The rotary bolt setup offers more reliable ejection, a Nova will feed, fire and cycle anything you feed it from Winchester Universal to Federal Black Cloud. The Nova is 3.5" capable in case you feel the need to pursue geese, you can completely strip a Nova in about 45 seconds with no tools and re-assemble it just a easy, they also come with a 10-year warrantee you'll never need to use. All models come with 3 Mobil chokes allowing you to go from shooting handicap trap to skeet to sporting clays without spending a dime.
 
gwhysow said:
Advice...don't buy one.
Click to expand...

cabose369 said:
I am curious as to why you feel this way.
Click to expand...

When the 88s first became available, a few guys around here bought them as bear guns, mostly to be used with cracker shells. Those first 88s were safe to use, but the actions were extremely stiff, and the LOP for the stock was very long, and the narrow comb would smack your cheek enthusiastically and painfully when slug loads were fired. My advice since that time was likewise, avoid the 88, a 500, or better yet, a 590 is a much better gun, with the advantages of a better quality stock, and the tang safety which IMHO is superior to a cross bolt. Last year though, a couple of gals at work each bought 12 ga 88s, and these guns were much better. The actions were slicker, and the stock length was long, but manageable. I even thought about getting one for myself to keep as a lender.
 
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