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New to shotguns, building maverick 88 18.5"

Greetings all,

So I am new to shotguns and looking to find some good resources to help me learn from our success and mistakes with certain parts, specific loads, etc..

I recently added the ATI tactical stock/grip .1135 to my Maverick and wanting to get some more tactical parts, like a nice foreend, and any must have Maverick 88 mods if anyone has any.
 
Profile pic is the foreend I was considering. It's the:
Adaptive Tactical | EX Performance Tactical Light and Forend, 300-Lumen beam, Black priced at $103.99
 
The maverick has a slightly different handguard than the standard Mossberg 500.

The one on the mav is pinned.

The only way the handguard will fit is if you replace the mav over to a Mossberg 500 action slide tube assembly.
 
If this is for HD I would keep it simple and functional.....

No one is better at taking fully-functional, factory-made firearms and turning them into junk than a certain segment of the American gun-buying public. -Larry Vickers
 
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Don’t add too much stuff on it. The more it looks like something from a movie or a video game the worse it’s gonna perform. Get useful stuff like a good sling and swivel mounts. Don’t get a big ole looping sling (like the one that holds shells). Get one that you can use to steady your aim. Something like this. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2611167454

There aren’t very many good options for night sights but they’re warranted. This one works “ok.” But, have to remove a few threads so they don’t stick into the barrel.
It’s not all that bright, but options are limited and it’s better than just seeing black. https://www.opticsplanet.com/meprolight-tru-dot-shotgun-night-sights-for-mossberg-shotguns.html
Get a trigger spring kit to reduce the trigger pull weight (easier to pull). The stainless magazine follower is nice but it isn’t a “must have.”
https://www.mcarbo.com/store/p/36-Mossberg-Shotguns-500-/-835-Trigger-Spring-Kit.aspx
I wouldn’t change the fore end. Options are limited and the original works well. If you want you can smooth out the action bars with some emery cloth. Don’t go nuts with it though. You can do the same to all of the other action pieces. You’re pretty much just looking to remove any rough spots that might have been left during the manufacturing process.
Since you’re “shooting in the house,” the type of shell doesn’t matter all that much as long as they’re not slugs. 2-3/4” #4’s will do. Or if you want to spend a little more go for 2-3/4” 00 buck.
Get some practice. Heat shields, bayonets, door breeching muzzle brakes, etc -not so cool.
Five rounds of #4 at 10 yds or so split the fence board. That’s a fairly narrow target for shell shot.
 

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I have done various things with my scatterguns over the years. Lately, I've been ditching all the tacticool stuff except for a light. And that's mainly because my old buddy vegas had an old saying where it came to shotgun lights at close quarters. If it's lit, it's hit. So much truth there. I really miss talking to my old buddy. Rest in peace my friend.

My Winchester 1300 still has a heatshield and I expect that it always will. Tritium front bead sight. Weapon light. Nothing wrong with any of that at all.
 
I have done various things with my scatterguns over the years. Lately, I've been ditching all the tacticool stuff except for a light. And that's mainly because my old buddy vegas had an old saying where it came to shotgun lights at close quarters. If it's lit, it's hit. So much truth there. I really miss talking to my old buddy. Rest in peace my friend.

My Winchester 1300 still has a heatshield and I expect that it always will. Tritium front bead sight. Weapon light. Nothing wrong with any of that at all.
I’d like a way to mount a small “varmint light” to my 88. I don’t think I’ll need the heat shield though. I doubt I’ll ever run into enough varmints to warrant one. If there are enough home invaders to need one you have bigger problems than a warm barrel.
Look at all of these birds and I bet not one heat shield.
So you have to take the shield off every time you want to wipe the barrel down?
 

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Five consecutive shots of 2-3/4” #4 from ten to fifteen feet. The pumpkin was not rotten. Not much damage was done with #4 from 20-30 yards though.
 

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Awesome pics guys- I'm really pleased with mine. Need to go out and take some pics also.

I ended up ordering a model with a foldable stock, which I didnt want- but it has grown on me.

Anyone else got some more pics? Great info on ammo too.
 
The only "tactical" thing I've added to my Maverick 88 is a surefire 6xp pro mounted with a CDM Mod C mount and Limbsaver Butt Pad.
39af98200295af3ab8a2b3ea315b7888.jpg


Sent from my Vivo XL4 using Tapatalk
 
I am looking for some ammo recommendation for a home defense load - can you suggest one? right now I'm just running drills with my dummy rounds
Leave your 12 gauge in the closet and get a high-capacity 380 like the Bersa Thunder Plus for in-home defense ... unless you want to splatter an intruder's guts all over your wall and furniture, have a good mess to clean up and have holes in your wall to patch and maybe a pissed of neighbor because your slug just went sailing through his living room, left a hole in his wall and killed his big-screen TV.

The little Bersa Thunder Plus holds 16 rounds, with one spare magazine that's 32 rounds, does not over-penetrate, is super-reliable. Do not under-estimate a 380! With good ammo like Underwood Xtreme Defender, you're cookin' with gas. Of course with a handgun it's all about shot placement.

BERSA THUNDER PLUS.jpg
 
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