NRA Gun of the Week: Mossberg Maverick 88

by
posted on October 29, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The Maverick 88 All-Purpose shotgun from O.F. Mossberg & Sons is a pump-action variant of the famed Model 500/590, which gives today's home defender, hunter and enthusiast an affordable tool backed by a reputable American arms maker.

right side pump-action shotgun black metal camouflage stock text on image noting "Mossberg Maverick 88 All-Purpose"

Mossberg lists six lines of its Maverick 88 shotgun, from folding-stocked security models sporting 18.5" barrels to Slug models, in addition to All-Purpose models suitable for hunting and clay targets, such as the exampled presented here. Standard capacity for its 12- and 20-ga. Maverick 88 models is five shells in the magazine and one in the chamber.

right side pump-action shotguns stack two guns black metal plastic brown wood

One key design departure from the Model 500 is a crossbolt-style safety found at the rear of the trigger guard of the Maverick 88. A square-shaped slide release between the receiver and trigger housing unlocks the slide. The Maverick includes a synthetic fore-end attached to its slide mechanism. At the rear is a rubber-capped synthetic buttstock that, like the fore-end, features a film-dipped camouflage finish.

camouflage plastick buttstock gun parts shotgun

Topping the steel barrel of the Maverick 88 All-Purpose is a ventilated sighting rib with a versatile dual-bead setup for sighting Barrels come threaded for chokes; Mossberg supplies one with the gun.

shotgun barrel muzzle gun parts steel tube

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to see the All-Purpose Maverick 88 shotgun in use at the range.

Maverick 88 Specifications
Manufacturer: O.F. Mossberg & Sons
Action Type: manually-operated, pump-action shotgun
Chambering: 12 gauge
Barrel: 26" or 28"
Stock: sythetic
Finish: film-dipped camouflage
Length: 45.25" or 47.75"
Weight: 7 lbs.
MSRP: $274

Latest

Gunsite Academy 50Th 1
Gunsite Academy 50Th 1

Gunsite Marks 50 Years With Alumni Shoot in Paulden

More than 400 competitors gathered at the Arizona academy founded by Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, as elected officials urged turnout ahead of the midterms.

I Have This Old Gun: Standard Arms Model G

There is an adage that goes something to the effect of, “just because one can do something doesn’t mean it necessarily should be done.” This thought may aptly be applied to the short-lived Standard Arms Model G rifle.

NRA Partners with Guidefitter to Support Industry Professionals

The new alliance between NRA and Guidefitter provides VIP access to the company’s exclusive gear benefits from more than 300 leading outdoor brands, educational opportunities and community tools. 

500 Years in Business: Beretta’s Staying Power

Once Italian, now global, always family-owned; Beretta, the world’s oldest industrial firm, balances continuity and new ideas in its 500-year-old pursuit of gunmaking perfection.

A Traditional Turn: The Derya EX1300 & EX1400 Shotguns

While the company is mostly known for radically modern shotgun designs, Derya's new EX1300 and EX1400 are wood-stocked, break-action shotguns designed for the skeet range or hunting field. 

I Carry: Daniel Defense H9 in an ANR Designs Holster

In our latest “I Carry” segment above, we’re taking a closer look at the Daniel Defense H9, a unique, striker-fired design that borrows popular features from several different handguns. 

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.