thinking about a maverick 88 or a 870 express

welder01

welder01

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the 88's a bit cheaper , is it worth spending the extra $150 for the express. I am going to be shooting clays just for fun if that makes any difference
 
welder01 said:
the 88's a bit cheaper , is it worth spending the extra $150 for the express. I am going to be shooting clays just for fun if that makes any difference
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The maverick 88 is a good beginner shotgun. I would buy that and take the extra $150 and buy some shells. That's what you should do.
 
if you consider a 20 gauge you can look at the H&R Pardner Pump, they are a well built 870 clone and can be had for about 280$, less if you shop around.

Better build quality then the 88 and on par with the 870.
 
I second the 88. Now I won't get into the hearsay about Remington's rumored QC issues, but I do know that the Maverick is a solid firearm. Picked one up as a knockabout gun and it's served me well ever since.
 
Find a used wingmaster if you can. Or even a used 500 from the late 70's

Found some for 200$ and they are better quality
 
black powder said:
..but if your into cheap CHINES shotguns ..go ahead it's your money...
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Never buy chinese.....go mexican instead! :d
The maverick 88 will do everything the 870 will do for 150 bucks cheaper. I've owned an 88 for years, the only time it ever malfunctioned, all it needed was a good cleaning. Great guns for the price.
 
As a trap shooter I would suggest you stay away from the Maverick 88. I have seen way to many Mossberg/Maverick shotguns malfunction shooting trap or skeet. If you insist on buying new then the 870 Express will do.

I would suggest you look through the exchange and find a good used 870 Wingmaster. You can get a trap model for around the $500 mark. Look for a full or modified choke. Browning BPS also makes a nice shotgun and can be had in the trap model as well.
 
There are so many cheap pumps out there that will get the job done. As previously said, older Mossberg 500's are great and especially if found at $200 or less. The 88's are ok. Not a huge fan of cheaper plastic but my brother in law has used one for years without issues. He uses it for everything from clays to geese to canoe camping.

The Weatherby PA-08 and SA-08 are quality made guns for a great price.I didn't own them for long but they were solid.

I'm not a big fan of Remington 870's but the older models seem a bit better than the new ones. The bolt release in front of the trigger guard annoys me.

The best thing to do is go to your local gun store and see which one fits you best. Then decide if it's worth it.
 
I have both.

The 88 is great if you're going to be lugging it around/have it more as a portable shotgun, its light and made of aluminium. It's action has more of a small resistance so it does not easily slide open with the smallest pull force (not a bad thing, but comes down to preference). Accepts all Mossberg 500 model accessories (except the foregrip as it is pinned). The bluing finish is easy to wear off, it may help to run a cloth with a dab of lubricant all over to protect it from condensation if you're keeping it outdoors a lot. Mine has been through hell and back, some rust got into the trigger group and barrel exterior (which I was able to clean off) and it still runs as smooth and flawless as when I bought it for $170.

The 870 is heavier, more solid and has no resistance on the action, its an awesome range/bird gun. I'd suggest this one for more stationary shooting. It's got a high quality finish, less parts to assemble, more modifiable magazine tube, and has more accessories available to it. The trigger is excellent and the hammer hits with some real authority. Its a beautiful shotgun, I like to keep my 870 on the wall and the 88 in the truck.

I also have a 590A1 and a Tactical 870, these ones are fun too, nothing overly special/different than their economic counterparts but I think they make much better range toys lol

I'd stay away from Winchester SXPs, the prices are comparable to Mossberg and Remington but I didn't see the quality there when I had one.
 
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I am looking at doing a tacti-cool on an 88 or a Mossberg as it is more an expensive "LOOK AT THIS TOY" build... I am sure it will grind gears on the Liberals I know... I have been told the 88 is better built then the Mossbergs.
 
Secondgunman said:
I am looking at doing a tacti-cool on an 88 or a Mossberg as it is more an expensive "LOOK AT THIS TOY" build... I am sure it will grind gears on the Liberals I know... I have been told the 88 is better built then the Mossbergs.
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88's can be an inexpensive build and look just as tacti-cool as a 500. I'd say the quality is the same between all 500 series, it's just the small features (like the ambidextrous saftey, plastic trigger group, the 5 round magazine, front sight) that differ from the 500 and 590s.

I actually prefer my 88 over my 590A1 and Remingtons just because it's the lightest and most inexpensive 12g I have. I don't have to worry about throwing it around in the bush or in the truck. I love it.


Pinned fore end. If you want to change this, the whole action must be replaced. I hear using the action from a 500/590 will fit fine.
 
My dad has a maverick and an 870 wing master. Granted the wing master is in another category but the 870 seems like the better gun to me. The maverick works but seems pretty sloppy. To each there own but $150 will disappear pretty fast. Try them both and if your equally happy with both save the money :). If you like one over the other save till you can afford the one you like. You'll be glad you did a month down the road
 
Both the 88 and 500 are good, pretty well the same gun. Only draw back is their resistance to accommodating magazine extentions, so if were to get a 500, it would be the 8+1 20" Persuader.

I like and prefer my 590A1s though. Right now I'm testing out some 870 clones to see how they fair as low cost toss around guns.
 
Maverick 88. I love mine. Flawless operation every time.

As for forearms, New model 500s have pinned ones too, and aftermarket ones with the action bars attached are available. Or you can get the parts from a real 500, the bars and a nut i think? It's in YouTube...

Which means the only differences between a 88 and 500 is trigger group and safety position. Personally i prefer the maverick safety, i find the tang safety on a shotgun is a long reach for my small hands.

Also you can buy an 8 round mag tube and barrel set if 5+1 isn't enough. Brownells has em but not sure if they ship those up here or not.
 
SilverBaller said:
I have both.

The 88 is great if you're going to be lugging it around/have it more as a portable shotgun, its light and made of aluminium. It's action has more of a small resistance so it does not easily slide open with the smallest pull force (not a bad thing, but comes down to preference). Accepts all Mossberg 500 model accessories (except the foregrip as it is pinned). The bluing finish is easy to wear off, it may help to run a cloth with a dab of lubricant all over to protect it from condensation if you're keeping it outdoors a lot. Mine has been through hell and back, some rust got into the trigger group and barrel exterior (which I was able to clean off) and it still runs as smooth and flawless as when I bought it for $170.

The 870 is heavier, more solid and has no resistance on the action, its an awesome range/bird gun. I'd suggest this one for more stationary shooting. It's got a high quality finish, less parts to assemble, more modifiable magazine tube, and has more accessories available to it. The trigger is excellent and the hammer hits with some real authority. Its a beautiful shotgun, I like to keep my 870 on the wall and the 88 in the truck.

I also have a 590A1 and a Tactical 870, these ones are fun too, nothing overly special/different than their economic counterparts but I think they make much better range toys lol

I'd stay away from Winchester SXPs, the prices are comparable to Mossberg and Remington but I didn't see the quality there when I had one.
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What didn't you like about the Winchester? Fit/finish? Feel? Function?
 
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