Among the many popular entry level shotguns you will find the venerable Mossberg Maverick 88. Maverick is a subsidiary of O.F. Mossberg, The brand offers lower cost firearms than the parent company, giving a more affordable option to many. Today we are looking at the Maverick 88 Security model and seeing how it measures up to our expectations. 

Mossberg Maverick 88 History

The 88 comes from the year 1988 when it started production. Copying the design of Mossberg’s model 500, the Maverick 88 shares a great deal of parts with it. Mossberg design goes back much further than the fabulous 1980’s, all the way to the company’s founding in 1919. Based in Connecticut, the O.F. Mossberg company manufactured a variety of firearms and parts over the many years. Including during the war periods making parts for firearms beyond their own. 

During the post-war period, Mossberg made a big name for itself manufacturing various shotguns. This included new designs such as bolt-action and lever action shotguns. It was during this time the incredibly successful Model 500 was released. Since 1962 the Model 500 has been a stalwart in the lineup of pump-action shotguns, arguably a rival against the extremely popular Remington 870. With more models sold over a shorter period of time. 

In more recent history during my own lifetime, Mossberg has rekindled their production of rifles. They have manufactured both lever-action rifles as well as bolt-action rifles like the very popular Mossberg Patriot line of rifles. But true to their shotgun roots, they also in recent decades brought the Model 930 semi-auto shotgun to market as well. It’s all quite the pedigree for Mossberg, and an American legacy I hope continues on.

Maverick 88 Features

1 Compatible

Compatible with Model 500- Allowing users to use the huge aftermarket support

2 Compact size

The short length and weight makes it very portable

3 Three-Inch Chamber

To accept a wide variety of ammunition

4 Improved Cylinder Barrel

Simple barrel with versatile shot pattern

5 Pump-Action

Reliable and simple operation for everyday use

6 7+1 or 5+1 Capacity

High capacity tube magazine for defensive situations

Additional Maverick 88 Models

The Maverick 88 is available in a variety of models, in both 12 and 20-gauge. And there are also 6 and 8-shot magazine lengths though it appears the barrels aren’t interchangeable between the 6-round and 8-round models. 

Various patterns are available across the different models as well, with camouflage and other colored synthetic stocks. There is also a folding stock security and slug-gun models. 

Mossberg Maverick 88 Review

As a copy of the Mossberg 500, I was expecting the Maverick 88 to be both reliable and familiar. There is plenty of other data on the 88, in fact it has been tested and even tortured extensively over the last few decades. All this to say, I expected the Maverick to perform well. 

My experience shooting the Maverick involved a variety of typical shotgun drills. We shot some airborne clays, as well as stationary targets. Both on the range and in the field the Maverick was fun and easy to enjoy.

Shootability

The Maverick 88’s controls are simple and easy. The cross block safety is at the front of the trigger guard, and the action release is just behind it. Both are easily reached with the trigger finger. Out of the box the Maverick was a touch stiffer than I expected, but it didn’t take long to get it broken in. 

The compact size of the 88 made it easy to handle and get on target, even for some of the kids.

The same could be said for the light weight of the Maverick. Airborne targets proved to be slightly harder than I was used to, probably because I am used to looking down a rib. The shorter barrel made the Maverick seem louder than the other guns we were shooting, but I expect that is just from the shooter’s perspective. 

Reliability

There is a huge spread of millions of Mavericks in circulation, I don’t expect it is due to poor function. On our first trip out, we shot nearly half a case of ammo through the Maverick 88, both Winchester and Remington 1-⅛ ounce loads. Everything shot equally well, and we had zero malfunctions of any kind. Loading the gun through the ejection port singly or feeding from the mag the gun worked flawlessly. I did shoot just a few 3-inch loads that I had, and they also cycled fine.

Accuracy

Accuracy with shotguns is more about patterns than groups. The fixed choke of the barrel as an improved cylinder took away some ability to customize patterns. But this is mainly a defensive shotgun, which is less likely to be used for bird hunting or other typical shotgun practices. The standard versions of the Maverick 88 are sure to use the standard interchangeable choke like the Mossberg 500. So it’s not entirely surprising or unreasonable. We did use some heavier loads, with bigger shot like one would use in a defensive situation. And at inside-the-house ranges they were quite potent, putting all the BB’s into what would be a defensive target. God help those on the other end of a shotgun.

Ergonomics

The simple stock of the Maverick is comfortable and useful, there’s not a lot of frills involved. The rubber recoil pad does well reducing the felt recoil, but there’s not much else to it. The foregrip has an easy texture to hold on to with deep grooves. Though I think I would prefer something slightly less aggressive.The brass bead on top of the muzzle was easy to find with my cheek on the stock. 

Value

The Maverick 88 offers exceptional value. The market for sub-four-hundred dollar shotguns is filled with a wide variety of options, and the Maverick is quite a contender with its price. The MSRP is only $290, and can often be had for much less. I’m surprised you can even make a gun for that cheap, much less make any money on it. 

Not only is the Maverick low-cost, it still has the decade tested and proven design that churns through shotshells. This makes the Maverick a strong option for those looking to spend less, but still want a shotgun they can rely on and use heavily.

Maverick 88: Pros and Cons

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by some of the finished parts and coating of the Maverick based on its price. You know you are looking at a low cost shotgun, and that’s not to knock the Maverick. But you know what you got when it comes to cost. 

That said, the gun just works, as designed and it does it well, cycling through box after box of ammunition.Its simple and reliable function promise years of service.

Disassembling the Maverick 88 after shooting was quite simple, and it helped give good insight to how the gun is both made and assembled. The steel stamped and machined parts all looked  uniform and good quality.  

Preferred Ammunition

We shot a variety of Remington Gun Club and Winchester trap loads through the Maverick. As a defensive shotgun you are more likely to shoot defensive loads like Fiocchi Defense Dynamics or Hornady Black, both using buckshot. But the Maverick seemed to chew through everything we put in it. 

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics		See Best Price
Hornady Black		See Best Price

Upgrades and Accessories

A defensive shotgun like the Maverick 88 should probably have a good sling to keep it close. The front and rear sling mounting studs allow you to use just about any one you’d like. One like this Specter Gear 2-point sling might be perfect. 

Another popular accessory for defensive shotguns is an extra shell holder. This six round shell holder from GG&G appears to be quite nice, but there are other more affordable options. 

Specter Gear 2-Point Sling		See Best Price
Shell Holder From GG&G		See Best Price

Last Thoughts on the Mossberg Maverick 88

Whether used as a defense weapon or as just a recreational shotgun, the Maverick 88 is a handy and fun little gun to shoot. It is quite reliable, and inexpensive to boot. It’s easily customized with aftermarket support for both the 88 and its Mossberg 500 relative.

With so many of them out there, you can rest assured that it will be around for a while too.