We promise to resist the urge and call the “more-plastic-than-I-am-comfortable-with” Maverick, Mexico’s answer to the polymer pistol. So sit down and keep on reading.
What we will say, in the hopes of reassuring you, is that many of the parts are only made in Mexico, and the gun is actually assembled in Texas. Assembled by none other than Mossberg, despite the fact that the shotgun is rarely advertised as such.
While the Maverick 88 isn’t necessarily the gun you would feel most assured taking into the field with you on a hunt, it is something that you should probably consider when it comes to home defense. Nothing like the sound of the “Ka-CLACK” from a pump-action shotgun to put things into perspective for a would-be burglar or home invader.
Can it be relied on to fire? Yes. It comes with all the basics that you need, front bead sight, 6 round/5 round capacity for 2-3/4”/3” shells, dual extractors, easy to field strip and one of the best features is that the gun is fully interchangeable with Mossberg 500 barrels and choke tubes. It is rumored that some of the plastic internal parts are also interchangeable with MB 500 parts, but why bother spending the cash to do so when you could have just bought a MB 500?
The Maverick 88 is an inexpensive shotgun, so don’t wrinkle your nose when you consider the home defense implications for under $200. Why spend 3x that amount for a gun that’s going to just sit in your gun safe in the closet forever? You can outfit the 88 with a pistol grip and a holographic red dot or a mounted flashlight and a laser combo and then it becomes one sweet little “opinionated purpose gun”.