Mossberg Maverick

The Maverick 88 is a slightly lower cost version of the pump action, 12 gauge Mossberg 500 shotgun, however in appearance it is virtually identical to the 500 model. Factory Maverick 88's feature a black, synthetic only stock and forearm, cylinder bore (although interchangeable chokes are available on some hunting models), and cross-bolt safety. Most accessories are interchangeable with a Mossberg 500 except for the forearm assembly.

Overview
The Maverick line of shotguns are assembled in Eagle Pass, Texas using some parts manufactured outside of the United States, mainly from Mexico; which contributes to their relatively lower price in comparison to the Mossberg 500 series of shotguns, which is entirely domestically manufactured and assembled at the O.F. Mossberg & Sons factory in Connecticut.

The trigger groups will not interchange between Maverick 88 and Mossberg 500 models, but the majority of other parts including barrels, stocks, and magazine tubes will (the barrel and magazines must be the same length). Maverick 88 do not come equipped with any sling mounts, as the Mossberg 500 series do.

Maverick 88 shotguns feature a trigger guard mounted cross-bolt safety as opposed to a top tang safety, which is used on the Mossberg 500 series.

Early Model 88's were equipped with a single slide rail, but this was updated to a dual slide rail in 1990. Also the Maverick 88 does not have a receiver top pre-drilled and tapped for a Weaver scope mount rail.

Maverick 88's are factory finished with steel bluing only, whereas Mossberg 500's have factory blued, nickel plated or parkerized (barrel/magazine) options.

There are two basic models of the 88, the 88 field and the 88 security. The 88 field comes with a longer 28" vent-rib barrel, whereas the security comes with an 18-1/2" (6 round capacity) or 20" (8 round capacity) non-vent-rib barrel. The 88's have a cartridge capacity of 6 or 8 shots and cannot have their magazines easily extended without machining. The Mossberg Mavericks come with a polyesthic stock and forend.