Maverick Arms

Maverick Arms and Mossberg: What’s the Relationship?

Maverick Arms operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of O.F. Mossberg & Sons, the oldest family-owned firearms manufacturer in the United States. Mossberg established Maverick Arms to produce a value-tier shotgun line manufactured in Texas, allowing the parent company to offer Mossberg-derived designs at lower price points without cannibalizing the Connecticut-made Mossberg product line. The two brands share core action geometry, and many components — including barrels — are cross-compatible between Maverick Arms and Mossberg 500 models. Maverick Arms shotguns are built to Mossberg specifications and carry the same functional reliability, but with simplified component designs and fewer finish options that keep manufacturing costs lower.

The Maverick 88: Maverick Arms’ Flagship Model

The Maverick 88 is the cornerstone of the Maverick Arms lineup and one of the best-selling budget pump-action shotguns in the United States. It is chambered in 12 gauge with a 3-inch chamber and is available in multiple configurations: an 18.5-inch cylinder-bore home defense model, longer 26- and 28-inch field barrels, and dual-barrel combo packages that ship with both a short defensive barrel and a longer field barrel. The Maverick 88 uses a crossbolt safety rather than the Mossberg tang safety, and its trigger group is a simplified single-piece design rather than the removable module used on the Mossberg 500. Despite these cost-reduction measures, the Maverick 88 cycles reliably across a wide range of 12-gauge loads and has earned a strong reputation for durability and dependability among budget-conscious shooters.

Maverick 88 Security vs. Field vs. All-Purpose Configurations

Maverick Arms offers the 88 in three primary purpose-built configurations. The Security model ships with an 18.5-inch cylinder-bore barrel, a black synthetic stock, and a standard bead sight — it is the most popular configuration for home defense and is legal in all 50 states without NFA paperwork. Field models ship with longer ribbed barrels and fixed or interchangeable choke configurations suited for upland birds, waterfowl, and turkey. All-purpose models split the difference and often ship as combo packages with both barrel lengths included. Capacity runs 5+1 on the standard model and 7+1 on the extended 8-shot version with a longer magazine tube.

Who Should Buy a Maverick Arms Shotgun?

Maverick Arms shotguns are purpose-built for shooters who want a reliable, functional pump-action at the lowest practical price point. They are a natural first choice for first-time shotgun buyers, for home defense setups where budget matters, for shooters who want a dedicated truck gun or farm shotgun, and for hunters who want a field-capable shotgun without paying for a premium finish. The Maverick 88’s compatibility with Mossberg 500 aftermarket components also makes it an attractive platform for shooters who want to customize over time — adding a Magpul or Hogue stock, a side saddle, or a heat shield without being limited to proprietary parts.

Maverick Arms vs. Mossberg 500: Which Should You Buy?

The Mossberg 500 and Maverick 88 share the same basic action and many components, but differ in several meaningful ways. The Mossberg 500 uses a top-tang safety that is faster to operate under stress and is preferred by many defensive shooters. The 500’s trigger group is user-removable for cleaning and upgrades. The 500 is available in more configurations, finishes, and specialized variants — including dedicated tactical, hunting, and competition models. The Maverick 88 is the right choice when price is the primary constraint and the shooter wants a reliable, functional pump shotgun without paying for features they don’t need. The Mossberg 500 is the right upgrade when the top-tang safety, removable trigger group, or a specific variant configuration matters to the buyer.

Frequently Asked Questions: Maverick Arms

Is Maverick Arms the same as Mossberg?
Maverick Arms is a wholly owned subsidiary of O.F. Mossberg & Sons. They share the same parent company and use similar action designs, but Maverick Arms shotguns are manufactured in Eagle Pass, Texas, while Mossberg produces its primary line in North Haven, Connecticut. The brands are closely related but sold as separate product lines.

Are Mossberg 500 barrels compatible with the Maverick 88?
Yes. Mossberg 500 barrels are compatible with the Maverick 88 receiver, giving Maverick 88 owners access to the full range of Mossberg 500 barrel configurations including ribbed field barrels, slug barrels, and shorter tactical barrels.

What gauge is the Maverick 88?
The Maverick 88 is chambered in 12 gauge with a 3-inch chamber. Maverick Arms does not currently offer a 20-gauge variant.

Does Maverick Arms make any semi-automatic shotguns?
Maverick Arms has produced semi-automatic models in the past, but the current primary lineup centers on the Maverick 88 pump-action platform. Availability of semi-auto models varies — check current inventory for what’s in stock.

Is the Maverick 88 good for home defense?
Yes. The 18.5-inch Security configuration is a