18-1/2" vs 20" barrel Maverick 88 shotgun

balazona · August 8, 2009, 11:26 AM

Which one is best for HD?
5+1 shots model looks cool.

rantingredneck · August 8, 2009, 11:29 AM

Neither is necessarily better than the other for defensive use.

If you get the 18.5" 5-shot model you have more options for other uses down the road as you can more readily swap the barrels.

balazona · August 8, 2009, 11:42 AM

5+1 shots model feel more compact.and it doesnt feel muzzle heavy as well.

BlackFeather · August 8, 2009, 11:04 PM

Extra weight at the forend helps manage recoil and stay on target which is nice for an aluminum receiver... My opinion...

chris in va · August 9, 2009, 03:16 PM

Wish I had bought the 20" barrel instead of the 18 for my 500. You can get chokes for the longer one and practice on clays better.

rantingredneck · August 9, 2009, 06:53 PM

Chris,

That depends on which configuration of 500 we're talking. I interpreted the OP to be asking between the 8+1 20" version and the 5+1 18" version. With the 20" 8+1 version you've got to swap the mag tube to be able to swap to other barrels. Not sure if they make a choked barrel for the 8+1 version in a 500. They do in the 590....

If we're talking about the 5+1, 20" version, I agree it is more versatile and the extra 1.5" of barrel length is not a hindrance. Awhile back Mossberg made a special run of 18.5" Heavy Wall accuchoked 500 barrels for a federal agency (Marshal's Service I think?). They sold the overruns to havlinsales.com and Havlin sold them to the public at large. I have one on my 500 now and it's a handy little joker. Throws evil buckshot patterns with an extended modified choke and Remington Express 2 3/4" shells. I swap out to the 28" barrel for birds and such, but the 18.5" does deer and turkey duty. I've got a 24" slug barrel for it that rarely gets used.

RR

chris in va · August 9, 2009, 07:17 PM

Wow, no kidding. I'll keep my eyes open.

Mossy500 · August 17, 2009, 12:09 AM

not much of a difference, a tad bit more weight, but barely any, and for close quarter use your not sacrificing any acuracy

August 8, 2009, 11:26 AM	#1
balazona Member Join Date: May 5, 2008 Location: Bahrain Posts: 85	18-1/2" vs 20" barrel Maverick 88 shotgun Which one is best for HD? 5+1 shots model looks cool.

August 8, 2009, 11:29 AM	#2
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	Neither is necessarily better than the other for defensive use. If you get the 18.5" 5-shot model you have more options for other uses down the road as you can more readily swap the barrels. __________________ NRA Member NC Hunter's Education Instructor PCCA Member (What's PCCA you ask? <- Check the link)

August 8, 2009, 11:04 PM	#4
BlackFeather Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 450	Extra weight at the forend helps manage recoil and stay on target which is nice for an aluminum receiver... My opinion... __________________ "Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." - Miyamoto Musashi [Insert random irrelevant religious quote here]

August 9, 2009, 06:53 PM	#6
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	Chris, That depends on which configuration of 500 we're talking. I interpreted the OP to be asking between the 8+1 20" version and the 5+1 18" version. With the 20" 8+1 version you've got to swap the mag tube to be able to swap to other barrels. Not sure if they make a choked barrel for the 8+1 version in a 500. They do in the 590.... If we're talking about the 5+1, 20" version, I agree it is more versatile and the extra 1.5" of barrel length is not a hindrance. Awhile back Mossberg made a special run of 18.5" Heavy Wall accuchoked 500 barrels for a federal agency (Marshal's Service I think?). They sold the overruns to havlinsales.com and Havlin sold them to the public at large. I have one on my 500 now and it's a handy little joker. Throws evil buckshot patterns with an extended modified choke and Remington Express 2 3/4" shells. I swap out to the 28" barrel for birds and such, but the 18.5" does deer and turkey duty. I've got a 24" slug barrel for it that rarely gets used. RR __________________ NRA Member NC Hunter's Education Instructor PCCA Member (What's PCCA you ask? <- Check the link)

August 8, 2009, 11:42 AM	#3
balazona Member Join Date: May 5, 2008 Location: Bahrain Posts: 85	5+1 shots model feel more compact.and it doesnt feel muzzle heavy as well.

August 9, 2009, 03:16 PM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Wish I had bought the 20" barrel instead of the 18 for my 500. You can get chokes for the longer one and practice on clays better.

August 9, 2009, 07:17 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Wow, no kidding. I'll keep my eyes open.

August 17, 2009, 12:09 AM	#8
Mossy500 Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2009 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 120	not much of a difference, a tad bit more weight, but barely any, and for close quarter use your not sacrificing any acuracy