Mavericks OK?

[goodconcretecolor]

The Maverick 88 looks like a lot of gun for the money ($159.95@wally world) I understand that they will accept most of the accessories for the Mossberg 500. Other than a trigger blocking crossbolt safety instead of a hammer blocking tang safety, any functional differences?

[lil_hunter12]

a maverick 88 is the same gun encept for the safety. they are also a great gun I have owned mine for about 4 years now and am extremely happy with it.

[dukkillr]

If you're looking for the cheapest gun on the market, you've found it.  It's the lowest quality gun on the market too.  You get what you pay for.  If you're looking for a gun that will probably go boom when you pull the trigger, and that's your entire standard, go for it.

[kyelkhunter3006]

I can't agree with dukkillr on his comment.  The Maverick a fine gun, EXACTLY like the 500 except for the safety.  Almost everything from a 500 will fit the Maverick.  Actually, I'm not sure what 500 accessory WON'T fit the Maverick.  I've had a couple with no issues at all.  I've shot 3" magnum turkey loads and everything else on down and never had a problem.  Only thing I didn't like was the 28" barrel, but that's my personal thing, I like 24"-26" barrels, the 28" feels too long to me.  You'll never beat the Wally World price either, the cost for most dealers is more than $160, and I see used ones on the Net going for more than $160 too.  I've thought about getting the 24" smoothbore slug gun and getting choke tubes fitted to it for a turkey gun, because it has a decent set of open sights on it (not fiber optics). 

[dixiedog]

I have a Maverick 88 18.5 bbl. with a Surefire light mounted on the mag. tube, as a home security gun, it is the syn stock and syn fore arm model. Also have a fiber optic front sight from Tru-Glo on the bbl. also a Uncle Mike nylon sling mounted on it. It looks real "Mean".  Has been a real reliable Shot gun with 3" OO Buck Shot loads.

[EVOC ONE]

I know this post is bit late.  I've been out of the loop for a while.

I have to give my endorsement for the Maverick Mod 88.  Mine was a gift from my wife about 3-4 years ago.  It was the first shotgun I owned with dual beads.  They took a little while to get used to, but now that gun comes up perfect for me.  It has become my go-to field gun.  I replaced the modified choke with full and have not missed a squirrel with it since and have dropped a few at some pretty fair distances.  I've used it a few times at a local public trap shoot and can usually break 18-22 birds with it (I'm not much of a trap shooter, but I have fun ). 

The gun has never failed in anyway and still looks as good as it did when I first got it.  I shoot the cheapest ammo I can find.  I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a better gun for what they sell for new at Wal Mart (Still $159, I believe).  I see used Mossberg 500's for that price and the Maverick is pretty much the same gun. 

Take care of it, keep it clean and it should serve well.

From top:

Mod 500 Crown Grade 12 ga.
Western Field Mod 550CR 20 ga.
Maverick Mod 88

[lil_hunter12]

these mavericks all pattern well with all chokes and loads that I have found and tried. that ranges from cheap #8's up to 3 inch magnums in #4 shot.

[GRIMJIM]

I have a couple of friends that used them for slug guns on deer and didn't have any complaints. I have never owned one though. The one difference, if I remember correctly is the maverick only had one charge bar whereas the 500 has two. These were some of the first ones to come out and maybe they are different now. The dual setup seems stronger to me, and the maverick has an aluminum reciever. Does the 500 have an aluminum reciever also? I just went to the website real quick and it didn't say.

[EVOC ONE]

I have a couple of friends that used them for slug guns on deer and didn't have any complaints. I have never owned one though. The one difference, if I remember correctly is the maverick only had one charge bar whereas the 500 has two. These were some of the first ones to come out and maybe they are different now. The dual setup seems stronger to me, and the maverick has an aluminum reciever. Does the 500 have an aluminum reciever also? I just went to the website real quick and it didn't say.

My Maverick has dual action bars.  It was purchased in 2003.  It would seem that a dual system would be stronger and probably is.  That said, the Western Field 550CR pictured in the above post has a single bar system.  It is an early '70's model and is still going strong.  I've never experianced any binding or any other malfunctions with it.  The Maverick also has an aluminum receiver.  I would like to see the Maverick offered in 16 and 20 ga.  I don't see that happening, but it is a nice thought. 

[lil_hunter12]

my maverick was purchased on 03 also. it has dual bars. i killed deer this past season with my squirrel setup all i done was put slugs in it.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Dual action bars are probably stronger, but I think that Mossberg is the only company that uses them.  They are the only one who advertises them.  So I think that they must not make that big of a difference.  I don't mind (no rust issues) aluminum receivers on shotguns, especially if I am going to carry them for a long time.  I'm telling you, you aren't going to get a better gun for $160, period.  It's a smoother action than the Mossberg 535, for some reason, and I couldn't tell you why.  Every 535 I've tried is much stiffer than the Maverick or 500.

I've got an NEF Pardner Pump, 24" Turkey model, with an all steel receiver, and it's kind of a heavy gun.  It's at least a pound heavier than my friends Mossberg 535 Turkey gun.  For a cheap gun, I'd recommend the NEF pump too.  I got mine for $180 NIB, camo synthetic stock, 24" Turkey barrel with fiber optic sights, parkerized finish.  It has a smoother action than the 535, and a much better trigger.  It's drilled and tapped too.  I'll admit that it wasn't my first choice, but it was the only turkey gun I could find at the last minute.  I've kept it so far, but I've got my eyes on a Knight TK2000 right now, so who knows?

[MGMorden]

Dual action bars are probably stronger, but I think that Mossberg is the only company that uses them.  They are the only one who advertises them. 

Sorry for the last post, just responding to this one comment.

I think most modern guns use the dual action bars.  I know that the Rem 870 does, as does a Charles Daly Maxi-mag pump that I got (normally I don't go for CD's but I found a deal on this one too good to pass up).

[crkempton]

I bought a Maverick 88 a couple years ago, and it has never let me down. It's a little rickety if you know what i mean.... seems to have a loose action. But that's all i can say ill about it. I've had more problems with my Rem. 870 jamming than with the maverick. -Cody

[EVOC ONE]

crkrempton:

I've seen a few different type of forends on the Maverick.  Some are full size and resemble a synthetic version of what is normally found on Mossberg 500.  Others, as mine is, are round "corn cob" types.  I've noticed the smaller round ones seem to jiggle a bit more.  That would be the only negative I have with mine.  However, I've adapted and its no longer a concern in the woods.  The action locks up as tight as any other pump I have. 

Glad that you like yours.  I hope you have many more years of enjoyment with it.