Please Recommend Better Product (Help a Newbie make a decision)

Hi All,

I will be buying my first firearm soon. I want to buy a shotgun. I have decided to buy one with Combo Barrels 28″ and 18.5″.

Right now I am considering below 2 options.

1. Mossberg Maverick 88 Pump Shotgun Combo 12 Ga 28″/18.5″ (Cost $289.99) Link below
https://www.gotenda.com/shop/firearm...rel-3-chamber/

2. Mossberg 500A Combo 3'' 12-Gauge Pump Shotgun (Cost $431.99) Link below
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/12290...e-pump-shotgun

My knowledge about firearms is very limited. I request all the experienced members of this forum to please recommend the better product of the two.

Thanks
:shoot:

A Maverick 88 is basically a Mossberg 500 built with every cost-cutting shortcut they could imagine.
I've used a couple of the Mossbergs and have been very impressed, smooth functioning and about as reliable as a rock.

In fairness, I haven't used a Maverick, but I have held one a couple times and have not been real impressed. It was just rough and felt cheap. The stock was thin, loud, and so light the balance was terrible.

I think it was Flying High that had a Maverick, ran tens of thousands of rounds through it, beat the snot out of it and couldn't get it to stop working.

If the little bit extra money isn't a terrible hardship, I would heartily suggest the Mossberg, although I would prefer a wooden stock. It's better looking, warmer, quieter, and the extra weight will balance better and soak up the recoil better. I've found plastic stocks seem to amplify recoil a bit.

My maverick is still running strong and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it.
But I prefer my Remington 870's.

Yep. Those are the same thing. The Maverick is a lower end M500, but only in the fit and finish. Stuff like barrels are exactly the same and interchangeable. The 88 has a 3" chamber too.
Academy Sports wants $219.99 for the Maverick Combo. Gotenda says they don't have any in stock.
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mos...action-shotgun

I want one of these
Attachment 17741

Buy an 870 is my opinion, barrels/parts are dirt cheap. They have to be the easiest shotgun to take apart, and they are reliable.

I went through and bought all the major guns when I was looking for what worked. 870 was for me, if you can shoulder one or two.at a friend's or a store I suggest that, otherwise buy used just incase you don't like what you buy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by linung

I want one of these
Attachment 17741

---

That's a turkey. (here)

I have a 590A1, which is in the same family.

It's a bit more fiddly to strip the receiver than an 870 is but, really, how often does that need to be done - between seldom and never, depending how much filth you drag it through.

Out of the box it would not feed from the tube. Google showed me how the shell stop needed to be bent just a touch for the action bar to pass on the correct side of it (only mentioned because google also says this is the most common fault with the guns).

It's quite smooth now, and one thing I really like is the shell lifter stays out of the way, making the tube nicer to load than most other shotguns.

Nothing wrong with the 88 - I've shot a friends. It's very much a budget model, but if you're new to the game it's fine to start with and get an idea of what you want. Maybe it will be all that you want.

The short security barrels are a lot of fun for clays, within the limits of their range. I had my 590 (cylinder bore riot gun) threaded for chokes so that I can shoot it at trap :)


By the way, if you shop at Cabelas, do their retail survey and save an extra $20. By the trouble that the cashiers always have in applying those coupons I feel like I'm the only one in the city that does this...


One final thing is fit. For a shotgun, ideally, you should be able to close your eyes, mount it, open them, and be looking straight down the receiver at the bead.

For buying your first gun on a budget, close is good enough - you might not find perfect. The point is that if you have to struggle in any way to get your eye lined up on the gun, look at something else.

My dad has had a really hard time with shotgun fit.

For myself, just about any generic field gun works well enough to not be a problem, so long as I line it up.

Other guns to consider, if Mossberg doesn't fit well, is the Remington 870 and Winchester SXP. There are also other myriad imports in the budget range, but I've not laid hands on them

I'm heavily considering a 590 after using a friend's 590 in a little shotgun match we did the other month.

I have the military model, I think they call it. Heavy barrel, metal trigger group, bayonet lug. 21 or 22”...

I put on the heat shield and a 1907 pattern sling. Those added noticeably to the weight but it doesn’t hurt my swing.

It’s one of my favourite shotguns.

All I want now is a set of wood from their Retro line.

I’d buy a retro just to get it, but no “retro” shotgun should have a ghost ring sight...

Whatever you end up choosing, do yourself a favor and buy it somewhere other than Cabelas. You'll save yourself at least $50 on the gun and buy ammo with it.

Hi All,

So i bought Mossberg Maverick 88 Combo barrel.

I have following 2 questions -

1. Should I apply some Gun oil to the brand new gun before storage? Is it a must or an optional thing?

2. I will be storing this shotgun in a Stack-On cabinet. Should I absolutely use a dehumidifier in the cabinet to prevent rusting?

Please clarify the above mentioned queries. I appreciate all responses in advance.

Have a nice day!

Thanks

An 870, 88 and 500 disassemble in the exact same way.
An 870 barrel can go over $300(Cabela's Canada wants $339.99 for an 870 barrel. $289.99 for an M500/M88 barrel. However, there is tons of aftermarket stuff for 870's that is not available for Mossbergs. Dunno why.
"...My dad has..." Pop's LOP too long or too short? Assuming a wooden stock, both are easily fixed with a mitre box/saw and a recoil pad.
1) New stuff comes from the factory coated with a rust preventative. You need to clean it before shooting it, but not necessarily for immediate storage.
2) Depends on where you have the cabinet. Basements tend to be damp(not all of 'em of course. My Ma's basement was cool and dry. Temperature varied about 10 degrees all year.), but bedroom closets are not.
Most gun cabinets are not air tight, but a low wattage(25 watts) light bulb, left on all the time, will raise the temperature in the cabinet enough to stop condensation happening. The whole thing goes away if you put the thing in a dry place. Bedroom closets tend to be dry and gun cabinets fit in 'em nicely.
You'll probably have to drill a hole in the back of the cabinet for the cable. Drilling steel does not require any special tools. Eye protection is mandatory though. The size of the hole will depend on how and what you're powering. Smaller hole if you put the connector on yourself.

It’s generally a good idea to clean a new gun thoroughly and apply some sort of protectant. Doing a basic field strip will help make you familiar with the firearm, and you get rid of any debris that may be left from production (I find this more on less expensive guns). The factory will sometimes apply a shipping oil or grease of some sort that can eventually gunk up your firearm with use, best to get rid of it and start out with a quality lubricant.

The Stack on cabinets aren’t air tight, but a dehumidifier or desiccant will help. You can get by with frequent inspection of your firearms and reapplying whatever product you’re using as rust prevention occasionally.

It's your first gun.
Take it apart, clean it, fondle it, get to know it.
Stay up late with it and tell it your dreams.
Rub some g96 on it.
My first gun (like my first child) got by the book care and attention.
The rest of my guns (like the rest of my children) get whatever I have time for.