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.

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.