# Mossberg Maverick 88 Cruiser 12GA Pump Shotgun - Compact & Reliable **Brand:** Mossberg **Category:** Pump-Action Shotguns **Caliber:** 12 Gauge ## Specifications - **Caliber:** 12 Gauge - **Barrel Length:** 18.5" - **Capacity:** 5 rounds - **Finish:** Blue - **Weight:** 92 oz - **Overall Length:** 31" - **UPC:** 049533310088 - **SKU:** UCs4CiiG ## Description The Mossberg Maverick 88 Cruiser is a pump-action shotgun chambered in 12 GA with a 3-inch chamber. It has an 18.5-inch barrel, 5+1 capacity, and is 31 inches overall. Weight is 5.8 lbs. The synthetic black stock has a pistol grip. The finish is blued. Cross-bolt safety. Bead front sight. Cylinder bore choke. ### Key Specifications - **Brand**: Mossberg - **Model Name**: Maverick 88 Cruiser - **Gauge**: 12 GA - **Chamber**: 3" - **Action**: Pump - **Capacity**: 5+1 rounds - **Barrel Length**: 18.5" - **Overall Length**: 31" - **Weight**: 5.8 lbs - **Sights**: Bead sight - **Stock Material**: Synthetic (Black) - **Grip Type**: Pistol Grip - **Safety Feature**: Cross-Bolt safety - **Finish Color**: Blued ### Detailed Features At 18.5 inches the barrel is at the legal minimum for a shotgun and gives the Cruiser its compact profile. The pistol grip replaces a traditional stock, which shortens overall length to 31 inches, useful in confined spaces but worth noting if you prefer a shouldered cheek weld. The cylinder bore is optimized for close-range spread rather than long-range pattern tightening. The pump action is straightforward to operate and maintain. ### Usage Scenarios 1. Home Defense: Short overall length, 12 GA stopping power, and 5+1 capacity are a practical combination for indoor use. 2. Sport Shooting: Suitable for close-range events where maneuverability matters. 3. General Use: The simple, low-maintenance design suits buyers who want a reliable shotgun without complexity. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What gauge is the Mossberg Maverick 88 Cruiser?** A: The Maverick 88 Cruiser is chambered in 12 gauge with a 3-inch chamber. **Q: Who makes the Maverick 88 Cruiser?** A: The Maverick 88 Cruiser is made by Mossberg. **Q: What is the barrel length of the Maverick 88 Cruiser?** A: It has an 18.5-inch barrel. **Q: How many rounds does the Maverick 88 Cruiser hold?** A: The Maverick 88 Cruiser holds 5+1 rounds. **Q: What type of firearm is the Maverick 88 Cruiser?** A: It is a pump-action shotgun with a pistol grip synthetic stock, cylinder bore choke, and a cross-bolt safety. **Q: Does the Maverick 88 Cruiser have a pistol grip?** A: Yes, the Maverick 88 Cruiser comes with a synthetic pistol grip stock. **Q: Where can I buy the Maverick 88 Cruiser?** A: Compare current vendor offers on this page. ## What Reviewers Say *Quoted verbatim from YouTube reviews. Each link opens the video at the moment quoted.* > Honestly I've never been a big fan of pistol grip shotguns and I'm still not a fan. > > — [mixup98](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4pkcF4vdEA&t=727s) > If you've ever shot a 12 gauge with a hard plastic pistol grip especially slugs or heavy buck shot it is not very pleasant. > > — [mixup98](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4pkcF4vdEA&t=103s) > I did lose my concentration after shooting that Magnum because it does have a quite a bit of a punch. > > — [mixup98](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4pkcF4vdEA&t=518s) > I think where this shotgun is really going to shine and really stand out is by using mini shells. > > — [mixup98](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4pkcF4vdEA&t=548s) ## What Customers Say *AI-generated insights from customer reviews* The Maverick 88 Cruiser consistently draws positive feedback for reliability and value. The pump action runs cleanly and the short, simple design makes it easy to operate, which is a genuine advantage for first-time shotgun owners. The compact 31-inch overall length is specifically called out for home defense use, where maneuvering in tight hallways or rooms is a practical concern. Affordability is a recurring theme. Buyers repeatedly position it favorably against more expensive 12 GA options for a basic, dependable shotgun that does its job. Recoil is the most common criticism. At 5.8 lbs with a pistol grip and no stock, the felt recoil from 12 GA loads is significant and some users find it uncomfortable for extended shooting. A few also note the pistol grip-only setup lacks the stability of a full stock for aimed fire. Overall the Cruiser is well-regarded as a purpose-specific compact shotgun at an accessible price, with most criticism focused on ergonomic tradeoffs inherent to the pistol-grip format rather than defects. ## Pricing **16 offers available** | Vendor | Price | |--------|-------| | Gritrsports Com | $223.99 | | Brownells | $243.99 | | RK Guns | $249.99 | | Shootingsurplus Com | $252.00 | | Kygunco Com | $253.99 | | Guns Com | $257.99 | | Centerfiresystems Com | $257.99 | | Sportsmansguide Com | $259.99 | | Grabagun Com | $259.99 | | Globalordnance Com | $262.40 | *...and 6 more offers* ## Similar Products - [Mossberg Maverick 88 Cruiser 20 GA Pump Shotgun - Black](https://gunsnation.com/p/mossberg-maverick-88-cruiser-20-ga-pump-shotgun-black/UCs4Clp5) - [Mossberg Maverick 88 Cruiser 12GA Pump Shotgun - 20" Barrel, High Capacity](https://gunsnation.com/p/mossberg-maverick-88-cruiser-12ga-pump-shotgun-20-barrel-high-capacity/UCs4Cito) - [Mossberg Maverick 88 Dual-Brl Pump Shotgun 12GA](https://gunsnation.com/p/mossberg-maverick-88-dual-brl-pump-shotgun-12ga/UCs4CijF) - [Mossberg Maverick 88 Tactical Pump Shotgun - 12GA, 20" Barrel](https://gunsnation.com/p/mossberg-maverick-88-tactical-pump-shotgun-12ga-20-barrel/UCs4CioG) - [Mossberg 590 Cruiser Tactical 12GA Pump Shotgun, 6+1 Capacity](https://gunsnation.com/p/mossberg-590-cruiser-tactical-12ga-pump-shotgun-6-1-capacity/UCHGBrY9) - [Mossberg Maverick 88 Tactical 12GA Pump Shotgun - Black Folding Stock](https://gunsnation.com/p/mossberg-maverick-88-tactical-12ga-pump-shotgun-black-folding-stock/UCs4CilL) --- *Data from [GunsNation](https://gunsnation.com)*