Maverick 88 half-#### misfire issue

[Visleguy]

Hello fellow 88 owners, I need your help. A quick history on my particular shotgun........ I bought this on the EE a few years back and its been incredibly reliable up until now. I recently added an ATI adjustable stock to not only add the pistol grip but to also shorten the length of pull. My first outing after adding the aftermarket stock resulted in random misfires which Ive narrowed down to a hang up on the half-#### notch. I know this because I pulled the trigger group out after it happened. I figured since these misfires happened after adding the ATI, that it has to be the culprit. Before I blamed the whole problem on the aftermarket stock, I pulled her apart and gave her a good cleaning to try and rule out the fact that maybe it was just dirty. Upon reassembly, the problem continued. With the trigger group out while cleaning, it seemed to function just fine. In a process of elimination, I installed the original stock and retested while dry firing at home and although it was better, I was still getting random half-cocked misfires. The misfires also randomly happened with no stock attached at all! Has anyone else here experienced this issue?

I have sent off an email to Mossberg but I'm curious if any one else here has a possible solution (other than grinding off the half-#### notch) that has worked for them. As I'm sure you'll agree, a randomly failing shotgun is unacceptable. Any help here would be great.

*I have done some research online and this does seem to be a random problem on random guns. Most have requested a new trigger group from Mossberg which apparently does not have the half-#### notch on them. Others have modified the trigger bar and/or removing the notch which I would rather avoid.

Thanks!!

 

[jetfixer]

I had a Mav 88 for 16 years with probably 1000+ through it with one hard extraction. Have you poured oil into the bolt (lubricating the spring and firing pin)? How does the action rack? Is it smooth or notchy? If it was working fine before then there might be something in your disassembly and reassembly process that promulgated this problem. I would suggest a careful strip-clean-assemble.

 

[Visleguy]

Hey thanks for the reply. The action racks smooth and it has been well lubed. Part of my process to eradicate this problem included a detailed strip and cleaning, in fact it was the first thing I did. With the original stock installed I can rack it 20+ plus times with no problem (ie the hammer falls as it should) With the Ati stock installed that number drops from any where to 3-6 racks before I get the dreaded thump of it hitting the half #### notch. I am in contact with mossberg about it but I get the feeling I’m SOL. I may have to take it to a local smith and get it looked at.

 

[JetRanger]

This is a long shot.

Since the change in stock started the problem, have you looked at the length of the stock mounting bolt?

Perhaps it extends too far into the receiver and interferes with the innards?

 

[Visleguy]

This is a long shot.

Since the change in stock started the problem, have you looked at the length of the stock mounting bolt?

Perhaps it extends too far into the receiver and interferes with the innards?

Not a long shot at all. In fact I’ve already taken the bolt to my shop and ground off a good 1/8” to see if that was the case. Unfortunately that didn’t seem to solve any thing. Thanks for the reply though.

Mossberg has requested that I send the trigger unit in after I sent them my serial number. Only problem is that the email specifically says this service is for US based customers only. Waiting to hear back about any Canadian service centres.

 

[lavino]

If you restore back to factory stock will it solve the problem?

Another long shot for you. Check if the stock is rubbing against the slide release. Don't just test it on empty tube if you have snap caps or fired cases test with them loaded in chamber (make sure they are not live rounds). If you ever disassemble the trigger group you will find that this part also rub against the hammer as well as a piece of the spring in the front is holding on to the sear. Worst case scenario, if you cannot mail it to Mossberg in US try to take apart the trigger group.

WARNING :
this might be a challenge for you if you are not used to putting these things together. There are 2 Youtube vids that can help greatly. Go slow. I just replaced my slide release with an extended Shoten Armory version and I can see that even if you have things slightly mis-aligned the Mossberg trigger won't be happy.

If you have tested and verify the trigger group is all good then you can factor it out and concentrate on other parts.

 

[Visleguy]

If you restore back to factory stock will it solve the problem?

Another long shot for you. Check if the stock is rubbing against the slide release. Don't just test it on empty tube if you have snap caps or fired cases test with them loaded in chamber (make sure they are not live rounds). If you ever disassemble the trigger group you will find that this part also rub against the hammer as well as a piece of the spring in the front is holding on to the sear. Worst case scenario, if you cannot mail it to Mossberg in US try to take apart the trigger group.

WARNING :
this might be a challenge for you if you are not used to putting these things together. There are 2 Youtube vids that can help greatly. Go slow. I just replaced my slide release with an extended Shoten Armory version and I can see that even if you have things slightly mis-aligned the Mossberg trigger won't be happy.

If you have tested and verify the trigger group is all good then you can factor it out and concentrate on other parts.

Hey, thanks for the reply. As mentioned earlier the hammer landing on the half #### notch is happening with the original stock as well but not nearly as often. The ati stocks pistol grip is very close to the slide release but doesn’t appear to be affecting its operation. It’s not rubbing at all. I have tested with snap caps and it didn’t seem to make any difference, live ammo is also obviously producing the issue as well. That’s how I discovered the issue. After sending mossberg my serial number and them wanting to check out my trigger group I think I’ll hold off any attempt at pulling it apart. Currently I’m awaiting a reply from mossberg regarding where I can send it for servicing in Canada. I may take it out this weekend and do some further testing with both stocks.