Mossberg Maverick 88

The Mossberg Maverick 88 is known worldwide as a dependable, no-nonsense pump-action 12-gauge shotgun that delivers solid performance without a premium price tag. It’s a favourite for South Africans looking for a robust shotgun for home defence, farm security or general field use.

Built around a twin-action bar pump system, the Maverick 88 provides smooth cycling and reliable feeding, even under demanding conditions. Its synthetic stock and fore-end are designed to handle rough use, making it well-suited to bakkies, farm sheds and typical South African outdoor environments where gear needs to work, not just look good.

In standard security/field configurations, the Maverick 88 in 12-gauge is typically supplied with a tubular magazine offering 5+1 round capacity (five rounds in the tube plus one in the chamber). Some extended-tube models increase this to 7+1 rounds, giving you more firepower on tap before needing to reload. This straightforward capacity and pump-action operation make it particularly attractive for defensive and utility roles.

The shotgun usually features a plain barrel with a fixed choke (configuration dependent) and simple front bead sight, giving a quick, instinctive sight picture that works well at close to medium ranges. The cross-bolt safety is positioned at the front of the trigger guard, and controls are laid out to be easy to learn and operate.

Recoil is managed with a ventilated recoil pad on the stock, helping to tame 12-gauge loads for extended practice sessions. The overall design of the Maverick 88 is deliberately uncomplicated – fewer frills, more focus on function – which translates into easy maintenance and long-term reliability.

Key Features:

• Model: Mossberg Maverick 88 (pump-action shotgun)

• Gauge: 12-gauge (3″ chamber, variant dependent)

• Action: Pump-action with twin action bars for smooth cycling

• Stock: Durable synthetic stock and fore-end

• Barrel: Fixed choke barrel (configuration dependent) with front bead sight

• Safety: Cross-bolt safety in front of the trigger guard

• Magazine capacity (tubular):

  • Standard configuration: 5+1 rounds in 12-gauge

  • Extended-tube variants: up to 7+1 rounds

• Ventilated recoil pad for improved shooting comfort

• Ideal for home defence, farm and smallholding security, and general utility use

Firearms must only be purchased, owned and used by responsible, legally authorised individuals. Always comply with South African firearm legislation, follow the four basic rules of firearm safety, and store firearms and ammunition securely out of reach of unauthorised persons.