Mossberg 500 vs Maverick 88 Field 12 ga

nbx

nbx

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Hey All

Younger guy here looking to get back into waterfowling. I'm on a budget and I'm looking at getting a Mossberg as people talk very highly about their value. One question, has anyone shot the Maverick 88? Apparently it's the same as the mossy 500 but has less frills, a crossbolt safety (as opposed to a tang on the moss) but is about 100 bucks cheaper. I want something reliable, durable and well rounded. Any info on either gun would be a big help to me.

NB
 
I have both, in comparing my specific 500 and 88, both share many of the same parts, my 88 is a later one with the dual slide bars. If you are right handed and want synthetic stock, go with the Maverick with the 28" VR with the accuchoke for water fowling, you may have to buy a tighter choke as modified comes with it. You may even find the 30" full choke version kicking around

If left handed or want a wood stock, go with 500, top tang safety is the best (I'm LH) as the slide safety is a PITA for a lefty.
 
nbx said:
(as opposed to a tang on the moss) but is about 100 bucks cheaper. I want something reliable, durable and well rounded.
NB
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Hi.

For only 50$ bucks more than a 88 you get a 500 combo with 2 barrels 28'' and 18 at SIR''. Unbeatable price for all you can do with this shotgun.

The 500 is also drilled and tapped if you go tactical or deer hunting.

The 18'' is very usefull in heavy cover partridge hunting.

I am very happy with mine.
 
I've had both. I would highly recommend the 500 over the 88. the 500 is just a better gun, and it only cost a little bit more.
you get what you pay for, so save a little longer and go with the 500. you'll be happier in the long run.
 
12gaugeDave said:
If left handed or want a wood stock, go with 500, top tang safety is the best (I'm LH) as the slide safety is a PITA for a lefty.
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I'm left handed too. I never thought about the tang being an advantage, but you're right. I used to shoot my father in laws Winchester 1200 and the crossbolt is annoying for a lefty. Looks like it's going to be the 500 all the way.
 
My advice is if you want a Mossberg, get the 500(or 835 if you want to properly shoot 3.5" at longer range goose). The Maverick 88 is better suited as a no frills home defense/security shotty. The better placement of the safety alone is worth the difference in price, also you have greater selection of barrel choice upgrades, scope mounts, tactical stuff, etc with the 500 down the road if there becomes a need.
my .02
 
i love my mossy 88, im going to dedicate it as my trap/ skeet long gun and am getting a grizzly and swapping in my top folding stock for security and bush carry......two great reliable inexpensive options
 
Jimbo69 said:
Hi.

For only 50$ bucks more than a 88 you get a 500 combo with 2 barrels 28'' and 18 at SIR''. Unbeatable price for all you can do with this shotgun.

The 500 is also drilled and tapped if you go tactical or deer hunting.

The 18'' is very usefull in heavy cover partridge hunting.

I am very happy with mine.
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Is the 18" barrel acceptable by legal standards? If I take it out partridge hunting like you said, will I need a restricted license or am I ok with just the Possession and Aquisition?
 
I got the Maverick 88 Kir with the 18" and 28" LOVE IT!!! On the 28" I added a fiber slap on to the rib and DONE.

As for the 18" hehe is a Tacticool gun now with heat shields, ar stocks, red dot, laser and sure fire flashlights hehe
 
I have an old M500 with a plain 30" full choked barrel. I've recently however been looking at the various Maverick, Mossberg, Chinese production and Remington Express shotguns for some friends of mine that are getting into hunting and shooting, comparing prices and characteristics.

The Maverick 88 is fine, but in addition to the fact that it has a trigger safety, the fact that it comes with just the modified choke really reduces it's appeal to me. For about $60 more you get a Mossberg 500 with the tang safety, three chokes, ported barrels, and I see on the latest models, sling mounts that used to cost extra. The drilling and tapping of the reciever for scope mounting is another plus.

For just a bit more (about $300 and change) you can get combos such as the field barrel plus rifled barrel, or the field barrel (with all three chokes) plus a short 18" barrel with both pistol grip and regular butt.

The Mossberg 535 gives you the added option of 3.5" shells for just a tad bit more than a regular M500, while the field/rifled deer barrel combo sells for just over $300.

While I've shot and sucessfully hunted with a Remington 870 Express, the Mossberg gives you a lot more for the same money. The Express (or even Grizzly for that matter) weighs considerably more than the Maverick/Mossberg.

Some of the Chinese pumps (mostly 870 clones) are nice for those wanting a short defence/bush hunting shotgun, but I don't see too many combos out there for waterfowling.

I'd recommend at the very least forking over the extra $50-60 for either a regular M500 with three chokes, or get the SIR 500 combo with the field, 28" fixed modified choke and 18" Cylinder barrel. If you can fork out another $50-60 you'll have a combo gun (500 or 535) that will be good for a wide range of waterfowl conditions and other hunting possibilities. If you don't buy the extra barrel in the combo set, you'll pay quite a bit more to add one later should you change your mind. But at the very least I think that you should go for a field grade Mossberg.

Best of Luck!

Frank
 
I've hunted and downed game with both the 870 Express, Wingmaster and my plain M500.

The Wingmaster would beat out the Express and M500 for sure, and sometimes it's possible to get an older one from the 1970s for a decent price (the economy version of the 870 back then was basically a Wingmaster with a plain hardwood stock, but the same steel). The only limitation on the older models is the lack of the RemChoke feature.

Between an 870 Express and M500, the two are awfully close. The Express certainly feels a fair bit heavier, which would put it in second spot if you were expecting to do a fair bit of upland bird hunting. It's not ridiculously heavier, but noticable enough. Though I haven't fired the ported barrels that come on newer M500s, I suspect that the porting would make up for any extra recoil that might have been felt with a lighter shotgun.

The fact that the 870 Express comes with only the modified choke tube is unfortunate, and it lacks a few other features that are standard on the M500 such as the aforementioned porting, swivel sights, and tapped receiver and better safety.

One plus for the Express would be that it's matte finish is better for waterfowl and turkey hunting, though the synthetic stocked M500s might be about equal in that regard.

Neither choice would be a bad one, but I think that the M500 has the edge on the Express, especially for a hunter on a budget, and more so if they want to hunt upland birds (with the more open choke tube and a lighter gun).

Cheers,

Frank
 
Beadwindow said:
Though I haven't fired the ported barrels that come on newer M500s,
I suspect that the porting would make up for any extra recoil that might have been felt with a lighter shotgun.
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and it lacks a few other features that are standard on the M500 such as the aforementioned porting,
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No problem with the A500, but porting on a hunting shotgun is not a plus!
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