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

Taurus RPC 01
Taurus RPC 01

Taurus RPC: The Bull Does a PDW

Taurus is joining the PDW market with its 9 mm-chambered RPC, a large-format, semi-automatic pistol with plenty of capacity.

Weird Guns & The People Who Like Them

Whenever an unusual firearm crossed the table at Tam's local gun shop, there was always a buyer for it.

NRA Programs in Action: A Look at Our 2025 Impact

At the heart of the NRA’s mission is a simple goal: to serve our members, strengthen our communities, and advance education, safety, and shooting sports across the country.

Belize Selects Caracal USA CAR814 A2 Patrol Rifles

Caracal USA announced it was selected to provide CAR814 A2 patrol rifles to several agencies within the Belizean government.

The Infinite Argument: 9 mm vs. .45 ACP

We’re never going to end the seemingly eternal debate about whether 9 mm or .45 ACP is the best option for a defensive handgun, are we?

Review: Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway

Survival rifles have generally been chambered for relatively anemic rimfire cartridges, but the Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway ups the power without sacrificing portability.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.