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problem or just normal?

2K views 26 replies 9 participants last post by  kfox75 
#1 ·
i got a new maverick 88 field 28" barrel, i loaded it up and when i tried to unload i noticed the action lock lever wasn't down as much as it should have been and i almost didn't get the action open. it finally opened but the elevator wouldn't go all the way down unless i came back on the forearm with a good tug. i noticed the gun was extremely tight in pumping. i got in the house and started pumping it back and forth at least 30 or more times. it loosed up some and the action lever seems ok now if i use good force to unload and load as does the elevator. it still tho has a small glitch, when i bring the bolt all the way back and stop, then try to bring it forward it seems to catch and i have to really push it forward for it to go. if i just do it fast back and forth without stopping it works good. do i have a problem?, shouldn't it be smoother? why do i have to use moderate force to just cycle it. i am not a newbie to guns. owned them for over 35yrs, owned a maverick 88 just over a year ago, hunted last year with it. it was much looser and smoother and i bought it new. thanks for any help you can give me.
 
#4 ·
Dumb question, but have you taken it down, cleaned it, and oiled it yet? Factory sea;er\shipping lube can make them feel like they are hanging up.

Clean it, oil it with a good oil (Mobil 1, 0 W-20 is my own choice), and take it out and put about 100 rounds through it. That should clear it up. It took about that many rounds to loosen mine up, 27 years ago, but it was fine after that.

One day of time at the skeet league did wonders for that shotgun.

While you have it apart, check over the parts for burrs and rough spots. That might also be part of the problem. If it doesn't clear up wirhin a couple hundred rounds, contact Mossberg, and let them know what's going on.
 
#7 ·
ok, i have finally done a complete clean out, there were some brown stuff and metalic looking thick stuff in it. i cycled it and it is better but still a little stiff, i noticed however that if i cycle it fast its fine or slow with good force it works fine, just when i go slow and easy that it sticks a little. of all the cheap shotguns i have owned this is the first one that is this tight, i guess that could be good but i don't shoot much and it may take a while to break in. i hope i have fixed it, time will tell. thanks
 
#8 ·
most all pump shotguns need to be cycled with authority! they are not meant to be cycled gently. keep it cleaned and lubed, and run lots of shells through it and it will smooth out.

and on side note, the Maverick shotguns are not cheap shotguns. they are well made inexpensive shotguns. there is huge difference between cheap, and inexpensive.

my current Maverick 88 is probably identical to yours, and has had a few thousand shells ran through it over the years. still works great, and is pretty smooth.
 
#11 ·
new or used, i do a tear-down and cleaning, then lube everything with a quality gun oil, or grease if the parts require it. most times with brand new guns, they are coated with some type of oil to prevent rust issues during shipping and storage until they are sold. it usually is not sufficient for use under normal conditions. it usually isn't a proper oil for continued sliding and movement of operating parts, but simply to help prevent rust from developing.
 
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#26 ·
thanks everyone, yes it just needed worked some. i put several slugs through it as i bought an extended ic choke for deer season. the gun smoothed up great, i'm sure it will just get better over time. i saw a you tube video where a guy had a mossy 500 that he replaced several internal parts afterwards you could see it was stiff to work with the new parts. my maverick with 28" barrel shoots slugs great, i bagged a 5 point on the third day of season. thanks again.
 
#27 ·
I never did understand the appeal of pump guns when a good semi-auto can be had for a few hundred dollars more.:confused:
I never saw the appeal of a semi auto after carrying it all day in the field, but I love a nice, light (by comparison) pump when rabbit or bird hunting. Same with still hunting in the deer woods of the northeast.

then again, I also love to use a BA when in the tree stand or the blind, as well as for a spot and stalk.

What starts the day as 7 ouces heavier, feels more like a pound or two heavier at the end of the day.
 
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