Mossberg Maverick 88 Series
The Working Man's Shotgun – Unmatched Reliability & Value
Widely recognized as the ultimate utility firearm, the Mossberg Maverick 88 has earned its reputation as America's go-to pump-action shotgun for home defense, hunting, and security. Utilizing the same legendary dual-extractor and twin action-bar layout found on the premium Mossberg 500, the Maverick 88 delivers flawless cycling and rugged durability at an incredibly accessible price point, making it the premier choice for budget-conscious shooters who refuse to compromise on personal safety.
- Twin Action Bars: Engineered with dual action bars to prevent binding and twisting during rapid cycling, ensuring a buttery-smooth, lightning-fast pump action under pressure.
- Mossberg 500 Interchangeability: Features maximum component cross-compatibility, allowing you to easily swap most barrels, stocks, and accessories with standard Mossberg 500 parts.
- Rugged Synthetic Furniture: Equipped with high-durability, weather-resistant synthetic stocks and forends designed to withstand the harshest field conditions without swelling, cracking, or warping.
- Positive Steel-to-Steel Lockup: Built with a heavy-duty bolt that locks directly into the barrel extension, optimizing action strength and ensuring reliable chambering shot after shot.
Mossberg Maverick 88 Configuration & Spec Matrix
| Model Variant | Barrel Length | Total Capacity | Chamber & Choke | Average Weight | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maverick 88 Security (6-Shot) | 18.5 in | 5+1 Rounds (2.75" Shells) | 3" Chamber / Cylinder Bore | 6.25 lbs | Home Defense / Close Quarters Security |
| Maverick 88 Security (8-Shot) | 20.0 in | 7+1 Rounds (2.75" Shells) | 3" Chamber / Cylinder Bore | 6.5 lbs | High-Capacity Home Defense / Tactical |
| Maverick 88 All-Purpose / Field | 26.0 in / 28.0 in | 5+1 Rounds (2.75" Shells) | 3" Chamber / Modified Accu-Choke | 7.0 lbs | Waterfowl / Upland Hunting / Clay Sports |
| Maverick 88 Field & Security Combo | 18.5 in & 28.0 in (Two-Barrel Set) | 5+1 Rounds (2.75" Shells) | Dual Interchangable Barrels Included | 6.25 lbs / 7.0 lbs | Ultimate Multi-Role Value (Hunting & Defense) |
Mossberg Maverick 88 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are standard Mossberg 500 accessories and parts compatible with the Maverick 88?
Yes, to a very large extent. The Maverick 88 can natively share Mossberg 500 barrels, stocks, and recoil pads (provided they are from the same gauge). However, the Maverick 88 features an integrated forend assembly where the action bars are pinned directly to the plastic slide, meaning replacing the forend requires upgrading to a Mossberg 500 slide tube assembly first.
Q: Can the Maverick 88 shoot 3-inch magnum shells and mini-shells?
Yes. The Maverick 88 features a versatile 3-inch factory chamber that safely fires both standard 2.75-inch and heavy 3-inch magnum shells. While it can physically chamber 1.75-inch mini-shells, an aftermarket elevator adapter (such as an OpsSol Mini-Clip) must be installed into the loading port to guarantee reliable cycling without feeding hiccups.
Q: Where is the Mossberg Maverick 88 manufactured?
The Maverick 88 is primarily assembled at Mossberg's manufacturing facility in Eagle Pass, Texas. To keep the retail price incredibly affordable, some foundational components are manufactured across the border in Mexico before undergoing final machining, strict quality assurance checks, and full assembly inside the United States.
Q: What is the safety mechanism layout on the Maverick 88 vs the Mossberg 500?
The primary structural difference between the two shotguns is the safety placement. The premium Mossberg 500 utilizes a thumb-operated tang safety on top of the receiver, whereas the Maverick 88 features a positive, cross-bolt safety button built directly into the front of the trigger guard. This layout makes the Maverick 88 highly compatible with aftermarket pistol-grip stocks.
