model 88

[scottyb]

I'm new to shooting and hunting and I want to get into it. Mostly deer but also bird hunting. I was looking at the model 88 made by maverick arms. I was wondering if it was an alright shotgun. Another Question I'm not sure about the difference of 3.5 and 3 inch is it just that the 3.5 inch can have a more powerful load? any help would be great

 

[cdnredneck_t3]

I have a Maverick 88 and that little gun has been through hell and back. I don't think I would use it as bear defense anymore because every once in a while the elevator does not drop down and the shell falls out the bottom. Other than that it works great.

2 3/4, 3inch and 3 1/2 are all more powerful respectively. I would compare a 3 1/2 to almost a 10 gauge.

 

[G Man]

I've had mine for 3 years now and it has been just as reliable as any other gun I've owned. I just finished my first season of duck hunting and it kept up with the more expensive hardware my friends were using.

My understanding (and I am often wrong) is that longer shot shells hold more pellets than the shorter ones but the velocity they launch the pellets out are more or less the same.

 

[adrian84]

I have shot over 1000+ rounds out of my Maverick 88 with no problems whatsoever! FYI the 88 is chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" only so you cannot shoot 3.5" Shells AFAIK.

 

[manbearpig]

nothing wrong with a Maverick 88, but also consider the Mossberg combos for a few more bucks. whichever Mossberg/Maverick you get, i highly recommend the combos because they are not much more expensive -- even if you dont plan to use it you can sell the second barrel on the EE to recoup some of your cost.

unless you are hunting waterfowl, you do not need 3.5" shells. 2 3/4"-3" is all you need.

 

[shootemup]

I like the option of switching between the long barrel and short barrel...my 88 has had plenty of use and abuse and its priced right too.

 

[scottyb]

i was looking at the mossberg 535 combo that's $200 more then the 88. I also saw the 500 combo but if it also only shots 3" I don't think it's worth the extrafor me. Money is kinda tight newly married(1.5) and just bought my first house 4 months ago. I was also thinking of getting a stevens in 308 to hunt deer.

 

[Tazzy]

Had my 88 since the first year they came out. I have never had a malfunction or misfire. I'll never sell mine.

 

[woolly]

I'm new to shooting and hunting and I want to get into it. Mostly deer but also bird hunting. I was looking at the model 88 made by maverick arms. I was wondering if it was an alright shotgun. Another Question I'm not sure about the difference of 3.5 and 3 inch is it just that the 3.5 inch can have a more powerful load? any help would be great

For a small amount more I would buy a Mossberg 500. The 500 is a better built gun with some better features (dual action bars that are not "hinged" to the forearm for example. The 88 is an entry level gun the 500 is a real workhorse taht will give you many years of trouble free shooting. Either the 88 or the 5000, I would replace the plastic safety button with a steel one. I think Brownells sells them for under $10.00 US. Well worth it!

As for 3" vs 3.5", the 3.5" kick a helluva lot harder and cost a helluva lot more. I hunt ducks and use 3" and 2 3/4" with great success. I've had 2 Mossberg 835s and tried 3 1/2" shells in both. I didn't bag any more birds, I just had a sore shoulder and a lighter wallet.

Perhaps if I were hunting geese I would consider 3 1/2" again, but I think if I need 3 1/2" I'll buy a 10 ga instead.

 

[.Fourty]

I've had mine since last June and have put over 500 rounds through her and have no issues..dropped it, bounced around the trunk(unloaded of course :B)
Have been quite happy and satisfied for my first shotgun!!

 

[bluegrizz77]

I have 4 other 12 ga but the 88 is one of my best. I had the 18" barrel machined for Rem chokes, outstanding performance with buckshot and slugs.

 

[gpracer]

Have had mine for close to 20 years now, The fore stock broke in some pretty cold temperatures while winter hunting at least -30c at the time. Fixed it with a modified part from a rem 870 and epoxy. It always goes bang and I've never had a reason to "upgrade"

 

[manbearpig]

For a small amount more I would buy a Mossberg 500. The 500 is a better built gun with some better features (dual action bars that are not "hinged" to the forearm for example. The 88 is an entry level gun the 500 is a real workhorse taht will give you many years of trouble free shooting.

thats the old Maverick 88 -- the new ones have two action bars just like the Mossy 500.


at Cabelas.ca there is a synthetic Mossberg 500 Field combo (18.5 and 28" barrels) that costs exactly the same as the Maverick 88 Combo ($299).... only difference is that the 28" vent-ribbed, ported barrel on the Mossberg Field is a fixed modified choke instead of a removable modified accu-choke... which may or not be a big drawback depending on what you intend to use it for and whether or not you even intended to buy chokes.
if you dont need it, you could easily sell that 18.5" barrel for around $125 on the EE and have a new Mossberg 500 for under $200.
or you can buy a used one on the EE for $350, LOL.

 

[scottyb]

I hope to duck hunt but i'm not sure what I'll get into. I might get into geese i really not too sure I was hoping to get a shotgun that could be very versatile.