AFFORDABLE PUMP POWER

Bruce Potts gives the Mossberg Maverick 88 a full workout and finds a rugged, reliable, pump-action 12-bore that won’t break the bank

"IF YOU NEED A DEPENDABLE, KNOCKABOUT 12-BORE PUMP-ACTION THAT WILL SHRUG OFF THE WORST OF THE BRITISH WEATHER AND SHOOT REALLY GOOD PATTERNS, THEN THE MAVERICK 88 HAS TO BE WORTH A LOOK."

There’s always room in the gun cabinet for a pump-action shotgun. The Mossberg Maverick 88 is distributed in the UK by Viking Arms and is only available in 12-bore. It is a great-value, well-priced pump-action shotgun. You might wonder why Mossberg would produce an 88 model when the company is so well known for its 500 series. The answer is that the Maverick 88 shares much of the operating mechanism but is more affordable, as some components are manufactured outside the USA.

Standard features of this model include dual extractors, steel-to-steel lock-up, twin action bars, a cross-bolt safety, an anti-jam elevator and a moulded black plastic stock.

A particularly useful point is that the Maverick 88 is compatible with model 500 stocks, barrels and Accu-Choke tubes. It retails for just £475.

THE BARREL

Let’s start with the barrel, which on the test model measures 28in, is chambered for up to 3in shells, and has been proofed for steel shot. The exterior finish is very good for a shotgun at this price, with dark, even bluing throughout. I also like the consistent barrel thickness, which ends at the muzzle with a single Accu-Choke fitted – in this case a ½ choke. As the Accu-Choke is a universal type, the gun can accommodate a wide range of alternatives, including aftermarket options, should you wish to customise performance.

I also like the wider-than-usual rib, which measured 9.65mm along its entire length. It features a serrated, non-reflective top surface, a large white muzzle bead, and another single brass bead positioned three-quarters of the way up the barrel. This arrangement really helps focus the eye on proper alignment without you consciously noticing any fine adjustments to your stance. There is also ample cooling beneath the rib, provided by 11 vents running the full length.

The barrel is secured by a twist cap that connects the barrel spur to the blued steel magazine tube. The system is simple, easy to remove and extremely robust. A threaded section in the cap also provides a mounting point for a sling swivel.

The gun’s capacity is 2+1, and cartridges can be loaded into the port quickly enough for sporting use. However, for practical shotgun disciplines or quad loading you might consider widening the port slightly, as well as rounding off the edges to improve access.

THE ACTION

The gun features a typical Mossberg-style swept-back profile, formed from a single billet of aluminium that makes up the entire action. This is polished and then hard black anodised to match the rest of the gun. The finish also resists wear and moisture. The top is serrated to lead the eye straight down the rib, but it is not drilled and tapped for a scope mount like a 500-series pump.

The ejection port is pretty large and the bolt, made from blued steel, features substantial twin extractor claws at the front that will make short work of even the most stubborn case in the chamber. It also locks up metal-to-metal at the chamber and bolt face, but can be released using a small lever located to the rear left of the trigger guard should you need to unload or change the cartridge quickly.

After a swift tug on the forend, the action cycles pretty well. This operation is helped by the strong, straight action bars connected to the forend that guide the bolt’s movement and prevent any binding.

SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE

The Maverick is fitted with a cheaper, all-plastic stock that is moulded in two halves. It feels a little hollow, but that’s to be expected at this price. Finished in all black, it has a fairly fine but textured surface and includes a mounting point for a sling swivel in the butt. A good, very squishy black rubber recoil pad is provided, and due to its well-ventilated design it does help damp heavier loads.

There is no real cast to the stock, but it does come with quite a pronounced drop at the comb that makes it pretty much ambidextrous. There are no palm swells on the pistol grip, which, although slim, has a comfortable rake to it. Raised panels with moulded-in chequering help with grip.

The forend is a complete contrast, as it has an old-style barrel-shaped profile that looks good and really does support the hand well. This is further improved with the addition of 17 raised bands around its midriff, resulting in a really good grip for pumping the action, even with wet or cold hands, gloved or ungloved.

It is worth mentioning that the forend is pinned in place, making it difficult to replace or exchange for a model 500-type accessory. That said, it suits the 88 well and functions perfectly as it is.

CONTROLS

It’s the trigger group that differs the most from the 500-series, as the traditional Mossberg tang-mounted safety has been changed to a cross-bolt design positioned at the front of the trigger guard, like a lot of other pump or semi-auto shotguns. It’s a little small and made of plastic, but it works fine.

The trigger pull was on the heavy side at 6lb 14oz, as measured with a Lyman trigger gauge. It felt slightly notchy, but on a pump action you’re unlikely to notice.

FIELD RESULTS

The Maverick seemed ideal for testing larger shot loads on the pattern boards with a ½ choke. Accu-Chokes are inexpensive, so if you want a more open or tighter pattern, buying additional chokes won’t break the bank.

I started with Gamebore’s AAA Buffalo load, which packs a punch but is manageable. It includes higher-density lead pellets (11.0g/cm³) that resist deformation and therefore retain velocity and striking energy downrange. This cartridge forms part of Gamebore’s Extended Range line, capable of delivering great performance downrange, where it counts.

On the board the pattern fell slightly low, with my aiming point just below the centre line, so I would simply raise my aim when in the field. I recorded a total of 47 strikes within the 30in circle at 30yd, with 15 in the inner zone and 22 in the outer. This demonstrated decent coverage for a running fox, with plenty of pellets finding their mark. I would even consider going smaller on the shot size, as a heavier BB load would likely prove extremely effective.

Next up was Hull’s Steel Game cartridge, which is eco-friendly and doubles as a good all-rounder for waterfowl, game and, if you need to, vermin. I used the 32g loading of No 4 shot, featuring a plastic wad system and a high velocity of 1,400fps. The cartridge is suitable for use in nitro-proof guns and has a 70mm case with a high brass head to handle pressure and ensure reliable extraction.

On ½ choke, the maximum recommended restriction for steel, I had a total of 217 pellets strike the board, which is very impressive, although steel does tend to pattern more tightly anyway. The inner 15in circle received 111 strikes, all very evenly placed, with 106 in the remaining 30in. This is why I really like and recommend Hull’s Steel Game load, as if you need to use steel it produces a tight and effective pattern.

Overall the Maverick 88 is a no-frills pump and is priced accordingly. It does have a few rough edges, but the test gun shot reliably and patterned remarkably well. The handling was a bit front-heavy because of the hollow rear stock, but I liked the rounded, ribbed forend. I would certainly consider fitting a sound moderator to this gun, as it would make a superb go-anywhere, all-weather vermin tool.

CONCLUSION

If you need a dependable, knockabout 12-bore pump-action that will shrug off the worst of the British weather and shoot really good patterns, then the Maverick 88 has to be worth a look.