Mossberg Maverick Model 88 slug
- Thread starter zebra26
- Start date
D3TH_OVRH3D
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SE Ontario
Edit: Deleted, as I realised my comment was probably inappropriate.. (Contained references to "pimp-action" and "slap a hoe" lol)
Last edited:
I have a maverick 88 18.5" pump. It goes boom every time. Easy to clean. Sturdy. The only gripe I have is the integrated forend/action bars, but that is cosmetic only. The model you are looking at is the same as mine, only the barrel will be different.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Do not buy the Maverick if you want to mount optics!
I have the gun your looking at and it works just fine with irons, but those cheezy kits to mount optics are garbage IMHO.
For the money the 3 barrel or 2 barrel Mossberg 500's are the way to go!
The cantilever barrel that comes with the 3 barrel combo is ideal.
Even a standard mossberg 500 if it's drilled and tapped is a better option, but I have 2 problems with that. The reciever is aluminum, and I don't have confidence the threeads will hold up with any abuse, and 2, the barrel is not permanently attached to the reciever, and POI can change if you take the barrel off and on as the scope is mounted on the reciever.
This is the beuty of the cantilever barrel, which mounts your optics on the barrel, so cleaning and changing barrels doesn't mean zeroing issues.
The value in the 3 barrel Mossberg 500 is amazing if you price out the cantilever and turkey barrels on their own.
And I have owned every gun I have mentioned in this post, so I do have a little experience with your question.
For me I went back to the Maverick after selling my 500 setup and trying a tactical model with ghost rings. Just wasn't satisfied with the accuracy, and the tactical models way a ton.
Weight was a big factor in choosing the Maverick or 500 over the 870 as well. With the cantilever barrel and optics, or even just an iron sighted smoothbore 870 the weight is drastically different from the Maverick 88.
I have tried to find the ideal slug gun, and for pushing bush all day like we do down here I have settled on the Maverick with irons.
A set of Williams Fire Sights is a huge improvement over the standard sights if you want a little extra in the sights department, and makes the gun perfect!
I could go on, but I think that is all I need to say.
Any questions feel free to PM me.
I have the gun your looking at and it works just fine with irons, but those cheezy kits to mount optics are garbage IMHO.
For the money the 3 barrel or 2 barrel Mossberg 500's are the way to go!
The cantilever barrel that comes with the 3 barrel combo is ideal.
Even a standard mossberg 500 if it's drilled and tapped is a better option, but I have 2 problems with that. The reciever is aluminum, and I don't have confidence the threeads will hold up with any abuse, and 2, the barrel is not permanently attached to the reciever, and POI can change if you take the barrel off and on as the scope is mounted on the reciever.
This is the beuty of the cantilever barrel, which mounts your optics on the barrel, so cleaning and changing barrels doesn't mean zeroing issues.
The value in the 3 barrel Mossberg 500 is amazing if you price out the cantilever and turkey barrels on their own.
And I have owned every gun I have mentioned in this post, so I do have a little experience with your question.
For me I went back to the Maverick after selling my 500 setup and trying a tactical model with ghost rings. Just wasn't satisfied with the accuracy, and the tactical models way a ton.
Weight was a big factor in choosing the Maverick or 500 over the 870 as well. With the cantilever barrel and optics, or even just an iron sighted smoothbore 870 the weight is drastically different from the Maverick 88.
I have tried to find the ideal slug gun, and for pushing bush all day like we do down here I have settled on the Maverick with irons.
A set of Williams Fire Sights is a huge improvement over the standard sights if you want a little extra in the sights department, and makes the gun perfect!
I could go on, but I think that is all I need to say.
Any questions feel free to PM me.
Yes there is a model for the model 500. The other type only fit Remington and Winchester. Hard to say if a comb riser would be needed.
http://www.weaveroptics.com/rings_bases/mounting_systems/no_gunsmith_shotgun/
http://www.weaveroptics.com/rings_bases/mounting_systems/converta-mount/
http://www.weaveroptics.com/rings_bases/mounting_systems/no_gunsmith_shotgun/
http://www.weaveroptics.com/rings_bases/mounting_systems/converta-mount/
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
And yes the comb needs to be raised if your using those kits.
I can't remeber which one I bought but it didn't have the hole in the side where the ejector attaches to the reciever to keep it locked down, and it would move every shot.
I believe it is B-Squared that makes the better one, but I can't remeber it was years ago, and I sold or gave em away.
They all sucked!!!
If you tighten them down too much the action becomes stiff as you are squeezing the reciever. If they aren't tight enough then you have other problems. Remeber the reciever is aluminum, and can only take so much. I was concerned that the reciever would be damaged from the recoil, and all that crap being attached to it at just a couple thin points.
Look at what you are spending when you buy the gun and the mount, and then a cheek riser.
Spend the extra $100 or even $200 and get the 3 barrel combo.
You could sell the other 2 barrels and just keep the cantilever if you don't need an upland, or turkey gun, and come out way ahead!
If all you want is a cheap reliable slug gun with irons get the Maverick.
If you want optics the 3 barrel is the way to go.
Please take my advice. I learned the hard way......
I can't remeber which one I bought but it didn't have the hole in the side where the ejector attaches to the reciever to keep it locked down, and it would move every shot.
I believe it is B-Squared that makes the better one, but I can't remeber it was years ago, and I sold or gave em away.
They all sucked!!!
If you tighten them down too much the action becomes stiff as you are squeezing the reciever. If they aren't tight enough then you have other problems. Remeber the reciever is aluminum, and can only take so much. I was concerned that the reciever would be damaged from the recoil, and all that crap being attached to it at just a couple thin points.
Look at what you are spending when you buy the gun and the mount, and then a cheek riser.
Spend the extra $100 or even $200 and get the 3 barrel combo.
You could sell the other 2 barrels and just keep the cantilever if you don't need an upland, or turkey gun, and come out way ahead!
If all you want is a cheap reliable slug gun with irons get the Maverick.
If you want optics the 3 barrel is the way to go.
Please take my advice. I learned the hard way......
Now that is interesting, selling the other barrels isn't something I considered.
Shotguns I have.
A Franchi 0/U for upland and/or small game
A Baikal semi 3.5 I'm using for geese.
I have a Winchester 1200 taking up room in the cabinet
I have an 870 in 20 ga
What I don't have is a slug gun and as it turns out that is what I have to use on the property I have access to.
Spare barrels cost about as much as the shotgun (20 ga Rem) and besides I can't get one for the Franchi or Baikal.
Maybe I should try my luck with a rifled choke and some "stick on" (magnets I think.) rifle sights.
Either way I think its getting time to shuffle the deck in my gun cabinet, streamline and focus more.
I think I'll do the math and some research on a plain jane 88 and busting up a model 500 3 barrel package.
Thank you gentlemen, much food for thought
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
The barrels sell around $150 brand new so if the combo costs $500 and you sell the barrels for $100 each your only spending $300.
The maverick after tax is likely almost $300 and more with that silly bolt on optic set up.
Like I said, been there, done that.....
The maverick after tax is likely almost $300 and more with that silly bolt on optic set up.
Like I said, been there, done that.....
He makes some good points. All I can say is that, for the money, the Mav88 is a real bargain. I had mine drilled and tapped on the receiver for a rail (cost me 25 bucks) and I have had no issues to date. POI seems to be consistent after removing and cleaning the barrel, but I do all my shooting at 25 yards or less.
