Is the Mossberg Maverick 88 a Good Shotgun?
The Mossberg Maverick 88 has been a popular choice for shotgun enthusiasts for decades. With its rugged design, reliability, and affordability, it’s no wonder that many hunters and shooters rely on this shotgun for various applications. But is the Maverick 88 really a good shotgun? Let’s dive into the features, pros, and cons to find out.
Contents
Design and Ergonomics
The Maverick 88 has a classic semi-automatic shotgun design, similar to other Mossberg products. It features a durable polymer receiver, a blued finish, and a synthetic furniture. The stock is designed with a textured grip and is adjustable for length of pull and drop. The stock also has a recoil-reducing system, designed to help mitigate the punch of the shotgun.
Some notable features of the design include:
- Swing-through ejection: The Maverick 88 has a unique ejection system that allows the hull to swing out of the breech, making it easier to reload and clear misfires.
- Tactical fore-end: The front of the shotgun features a tactical fore-end with heat shields and a Picatinny rail for mounting lights, lasers, or slings.
- High-visibility fiber-optic sight: The Maverick 88 comes with a high-visibility fiber-optic sight, making it easier to acquire targets and track movement.
Performance
The Maverick 88 is known for its reliability and accuracy. Its gas-operated system recycles a portion of the gases generated by the propellant, which helps cycle the action and eject shells. This design also minimizes the amount of shell residue that enters the shooter’s face.
Some of the key performance features of the Maverick 88 include:
- 20-gauge and 12-gauge options: Available in both 20-gauge and 12-gauge, the Maverick 88 is suitable for a wide range of uses, from hunting small game to self-defense.
- 5+1-capacity magazine: The magazine holds 5 shells (plus one in the chamber), making it suitable for extended shooting sessions.
- Adjustable trigger and gas system: The Maverick 88 has adjustable trigger and gas systems that allow shooters to fine-tune the shotgun to their preferences.
Safety Features**Safety Features**
The Maverick 88 has several safety features designed to ensure safe use and handling. Some key safety features include:
• **Manual safety:** Located on the tang of the receiver, the manual safety is easily accessible and designed to prevent accidental discharges.
• **Drop-tested:** The Maverick 88 has been drop-tested to ensure that it maintains its integrity and function, even when dropped from modest heights.
• **SAF-T-14 takedown system:** The safeties on the Maverick 88 are designed with a SAF-T-14 takedown system, making it easy to disassemble and reassemble the shotgun for cleaning and maintenance.
• **Anti-ambush loading system:** Mossberg’s anti-ambush loading system prevents an accidental discharge when loading from the top, ensuring safety during loading and unloading.
Additional Features and Accessories
The Maverick 88 has a host of additional features and accessories that make it a desirable choice for many shooters.
• **Mossberg’s Optima-Choke HP:** The Maverick 88 comes with a Mossberg’s Optima-Choke HP, offering a range of choke tubes for various shooting applications.
• **Mossberg Accu-Choke:** Compatible with the Optima-Choke HP, the Accu-Choke system includes a range of choke tubes for precision shooting.
• **Picatinny rail for optics:** The Maverick 88’s tactical fore-end features a Picatinny rail for mounting tactical lights, lasers, and other accessories.
• **Mossberg’s camo finishes:** The Maverick 88 is available in a range of camouflage finishes, including Mossberg’s own camo options.
Competition and Comparison**Competition and Comparison**
In the world of shotguns, the Maverick 88 faces stiff competition from other major manufacturers. Here’s how it stacks up against its competitors:
| Feature | Maverick 88 | Remington 870 | Remington 11-87 | Winchester SXP |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| Gauge | 20-gauge, 12-gauge | 12-gauge | 12-gauge | 12-gauge |
| Action | Semi-automatic | Pump-action | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic |
| Capacity | 5+1 | 4 or 5 | 5+1 | 3 or 4 |
| Weight | 6-7 lbs | 6.5-7.5 lbs | 6-7 lbs | 5.5-6.5 lbs |
| Sights | Fiber-optic | Bead | Adjust. sight | Adjustable |
As you can see from the table, the Maverick 88 holds its own against its competitors, particularly in terms of capacity, weight, and sight configurations. While the Remington 870 is a formidable pump-action shotgun, the Maverick 88 has the advantage of being more versatile and easier to carry.
Verdict: Is the Maverick 88 a Good Shotgun?
In conclusion, the Mossberg Maverick 88 is an excellent shotgun with a reputation for reliability and accuracy. Its rugged design, adjustable trigger and gas system, and high-capacity magazine make it well-suited for a variety of shooting applications. Safety features like the manual safety, drop-tested design, and anti-ambush loading system ensure safe operation and handling. While competing shotguns may have slightly different features or advantages, the Maverick 88 holds its own as an excellent choice for shooters at an affordable price point.
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• **Drop-tested:** The Maverick 88 has been drop-tested to ensure that it maintains its integrity and function, even when dropped from modest heights.
• **SAF-T-14 takedown system:** The safeties on the Maverick 88 are designed with a SAF-T-14 takedown system, making it easy to disassemble and reassemble the shotgun for cleaning and maintenance.
• **Anti-ambush loading system:** Mossberg’s anti-ambush loading system prevents an accidental discharge when loading from the top, ensuring safety during loading and unloading.
• **Mossberg Accu-Choke:** Compatible with the Optima-Choke HP, the Accu-Choke system includes a range of choke tubes for precision shooting.
• **Picatinny rail for optics:** The Maverick 88’s tactical fore-end features a Picatinny rail for mounting tactical lights, lasers, and other accessories.
• **Mossberg’s camo finishes:** The Maverick 88 is available in a range of camouflage finishes, including Mossberg’s own camo options.
**Competition and Comparison**
In the world of shotguns, the Maverick 88 faces stiff competition from other major manufacturers. Here’s how it stacks up against its competitors:
| Feature | Maverick 88 | Remington 870 | Remington 11-87 | Winchester SXP |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| Gauge | 20-gauge, 12-gauge | 12-gauge | 12-gauge | 12-gauge |
| Action | Semi-automatic | Pump-action | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic |
| Capacity | 5+1 | 4 or 5 | 5+1 | 3 or 4 |
| Weight | 6-7 lbs | 6.5-7.5 lbs | 6-7 lbs | 5.5-6.5 lbs |
| Sights | Fiber-optic | Bead | Adjust. sight | Adjustable |
As you can see from the table, the Maverick 88 holds its own against its competitors, particularly in terms of capacity, weight, and sight configurations. While the Remington 870 is a formidable pump-action shotgun, the Maverick 88 has the advantage of being more versatile and easier to carry.
Verdict: Is the Maverick 88 a Good Shotgun?
In conclusion, the Mossberg Maverick 88 is an excellent shotgun with a reputation for reliability and accuracy. Its rugged design, adjustable trigger and gas system, and high-capacity magazine make it well-suited for a variety of shooting applications. Safety features like the manual safety, drop-tested design, and anti-ambush loading system ensure safe operation and handling. While competing shotguns may have slightly different features or advantages, the Maverick 88 holds its own as an excellent choice for shooters at an affordable price point.
