The Mossberg Maverick 88 Cruiser is a pump-action shotgun chambered in 20 GA with a 3-inch chamber. It ships with a pistol-grip synthetic stock rather than a traditional shoulder stock, which gives it a very short overall length of 28.12 inches and keeps weight down to 5.5 lbs. The 18.5-inch barrel and 5+1 capacity are the standard configuration for close-quarters defensive use. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Mossberg 
• Model Name: Maverick 88 Cruiser 
• Gauge: 20 GA 
• Chamber: 3" 
• Action: Pump Action 
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 18.5" 
• Overall Length: 28.12" 
• Weight: 5.5 lbs 
• Sights: Bead sight 
• Stock Material/Finish: Synthetic Pistol Grip (Black) 
• Trigger Type: Standard 
   

Detailed Features 

 
The pump mechanism cycles reliably across a wide range of 20 GA loads, including reduced-recoil shells. A cross-bolt safety is positioned at the rear of the trigger guard. The synthetic pistol grip resists weather-related wear and adds no meaningful maintenance burden. The 20 GA in a lightweight pistol-grip configuration produces more felt recoil per shot than the same load in a stocked gun, which is worth accounting for if you plan to run high-velocity shells. 
 
The bead sight is minimal but functional for the short-range scenarios where this configuration is most practical. There are no provisions for choke tubes on the 18.5-inch Cruiser barrel. 
 

Usage Notes 

 
Home defense users who want a compact shotgun that stores easily and maneuvers in tight spaces are the primary audience. The pistol-grip-only layout takes practice to shoot accurately under stress; anyone buying this for defensive use should put significant time into dry-fire and live-fire training before depending on it. It is a reasonable range-day or safe-queen option too, but the ergonomics make extended shooting sessions tiring.

The Maverick 88 Cruiser 20 GA draws consistent praise for its price and gets honest criticism for its ergonomics.

Common themes:

1. Affordability is universally acknowledged. The Maverick 88 line is priced below most competitors offering similar functionality, and most owners feel they got good value.
2. Reliability with standard target and buckshot loads is generally reported as solid, consistent with the broader Mossberg 88 reputation.
3. Pistol-grip recoil is the most discussed negative. Without a shoulder stock to distribute recoil, the 20 GA hits harder than expected, and shooters new to pistol-grip shotguns often find it uncomfortable. Those who have trained with the configuration manage it better.
4. Finish quality is cited occasionally as a weakness compared to higher-end Mossberg models.
5. Customization is limited out of the box; some owners add a folding stock or forend accessories.
6. Customer service experiences with Mossberg vary, but most warranty and support interactions are described as acceptable.

I wanted a simple pump shotgun that would run reliably without being punishing, and this has done exactly that. The 20 gauge recoil stays manageable, so practice is not needlessly tiring. Its pistol grip required some adjustment, but the gun soon felt light and quick in use. The pump smoothed out after several outings, and feeding, firing, and ejection have remained free of drama.