Hello everyone, not new to shotgun shooting but having a tough time deciding mad looking for opinions,advice and such. I want a dedicated home defense shotgun (12 gauge) and looking current at 2. At my local fin feather and fur they have a Maverick 88 12g with and 18' barrel with either a collapsible stco, regular stock or pistol grip for $219 or I can spend the extra dough and get a 590 shock wave 12gauge for $450. Obviously I want something reliable and feeds reliably. I definitely won't be using this shotgun for anything other then home defense. The safety it's an issue with either. I want this gun to last so the pinned forearm is a minor concern for me on the 88. Just can't decide if paying am extra $200+ for the shock wave is worth it or not. If anyone has either of these I'd definitely like their input. Thank you.
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HD shotgun Maverick 88 vs Mossberg shockwave
- Thread starter TonyRogo
- Start date
I'm not a fan of the shockwave style guns. And I think you can do better than a Maverick. If you were even considering $450 for the shockwave I think you can spend roughly the same on a better gun than the Maverick.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/138754/remington+870+express+121853+hdwd
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/138754/remington+870+express+121853+hdwd
ZEBRARANGER
New member
I agree with the others. I have a Mossberg 500 combo (18" & 26" barrels) and other than the location of the safety, they're virtually the same gun. its about 22 years old now and has never failed to function. Definitely more accurate with the standard stock vs the pistol grip.
My worthless opinion:
Shockwave is out, pistol grip shotguns are terrible.
Given the choice of the two you listed, I'd go for the Mav88.
Other options, I'd also be looking for a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. I've had 870's for most if my life, and while the slide release and safety are in the wrong place, muscle memory makes using an 870 a breeze, and they shoulder and aim naturally for me.
I moved, I sold the 870, and bought a Mossy500. It cycles beautifully, the slide release and safety are in the right place but year later I still have to hunt for them, the factory safety sucked so I replaced it with a VangComp big speed safety (excellent upgrade by the way) and this gun shoulders differently and I can't hit a damn thing with it (in trap or sporting clays) but its 100% reliable, I have 3 barrels for it, and with its 18 inch security barrel is an excellent choice for home defense.
If you can afford the shockwave, I'd invest in the 870 or 500 instead, depending on which fits you better.
Shockwave is out, pistol grip shotguns are terrible.
Given the choice of the two you listed, I'd go for the Mav88.
Other options, I'd also be looking for a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. I've had 870's for most if my life, and while the slide release and safety are in the wrong place, muscle memory makes using an 870 a breeze, and they shoulder and aim naturally for me.
I moved, I sold the 870, and bought a Mossy500. It cycles beautifully, the slide release and safety are in the right place but year later I still have to hunt for them, the factory safety sucked so I replaced it with a VangComp big speed safety (excellent upgrade by the way) and this gun shoulders differently and I can't hit a damn thing with it (in trap or sporting clays) but its 100% reliable, I have 3 barrels for it, and with its 18 inch security barrel is an excellent choice for home defense.
If you can afford the shockwave, I'd invest in the 870 or 500 instead, depending on which fits you better.
I have some experience with shotguns and but it's been a good few years since shooting. I wanted a reliable durable HD shotgun. There really wasn't much of a criteria other then that.
I knew I wanted to keep the price to about 400$ or less. The Remingtons coming out now are priced above that. Not interested in any shotgun that doesn't have a track tlrecord yet for reliability. They are currently selling full stock Mossberg 590s for 400$ that I'm gonna take a look at as well. I understand the raptor grip isn't ideal, the 14' barrel and build using a 590 housing was the appeal. Also was looking at using mini shells to help with recoil.
I knew I wanted to keep the price to about 400$ or less. The Remingtons coming out now are priced above that. Not interested in any shotgun that doesn't have a track tlrecord yet for reliability. They are currently selling full stock Mossberg 590s for 400$ that I'm gonna take a look at as well. I understand the raptor grip isn't ideal, the 14' barrel and build using a 590 housing was the appeal. Also was looking at using mini shells to help with recoil.
I have a shockwave and a few other defensive shotguns. A 590 (full stock) a Benelli M1 and a cpl others.
The shockwave is by FAR my least favorite 12ga. Ive got considerable experience with defensive 12ga guns and i find it hard to recommend the shockwave except for very limited uses.
The shockwave is by FAR my least favorite 12ga. Ive got considerable experience with defensive 12ga guns and i find it hard to recommend the shockwave except for very limited uses.
PatientWolf
New member
I’d go for the regular 590 over the maverick 88.
Bill DeShivs
New member
The maverick is basically the same gun as the Mossberg.
If it's just for home defense, get the Maverick.
If it's just for home defense, get the Maverick.
Also was looking at using mini shells to help with recoil.
Yea if you are already looking at was to reduce recoil with such I would seriously suggest reconsidering a shotgun, especially accounting for my earlier comment. I know there is a psychological draw to them but after about half a century of shooting and instructing I've come to the conclusion that they are the last thing I recommend to people.
In that price range you can get a new 9mm Sub2k or other used PCC and will likely have much better results and experience. I'm sure you don't want to hear that but that is reality.
Further, the Mini Shells can be problematic, enough that if I just had to have a shotgun and was considering them to reduce recoil... I would just get a 410. I like the idea of the Mini's but they simply aren't reliable. Yes there are devices you can insert to help with feeding, but I've found them to not be 100%. There are even a few shotguns that will supposedly feed them well but not 100%. I know because I've tried them as I like the idea of the Mini Shells and really hoped to find a reliable platform.
410 will give you roughly the same performance and in platforms that are far more reliable as they were designed from the start around the shell. You can also often find some really nice high quality vintage brand name 410's on the used market (Winchester, Remington, Mossberg) in your price range.
A good option is the Mossberg 505 at a bit over 36" and 5# it is compact and light, a solid shotgun that is easy on the shoulder but very effective. It may not look "tact-cool" but it will get the HD job done as well as a 12ga. I've seen them in local shops right at your price range.
Just some free advice
Appreciate everyone's comments and advice. I really have my heart set on a shotgun as I do miss shooting one and miss having one. I looked at 5 gun stores in my area ( it was a long day) every carbine was way out of my price range for one, and after handling the Maverick 88,590, and a 590 shockwave I decided to go with the 590. Gonna put a few hundred rounds of bird shot and perhaps some buck before deciding if I want a rail,laser and any other ninja stuff. I prefer to keep it as basic and practical as possible. Heading out today in this freezing weather to put my first 50 rounds of shot down range. Appreciate everyone's advice again. God bless.