Maverick Arms builds the 88 as a plain-spoken 12 gauge pump for the field. The 28-inch vent-rib barrel takes Accu-Choke tubes and carries a front bead; the 3-inch chamber accepts 2 3/4-inch and 3-inch factory shells. Capacity is 5+1, weight 7.5 pounds, overall length 48.5 inches and length of pull 14.25 inches. Blued steel sits in a black synthetic stock and forearm, twin action bars and dual extractors drive the cycling, and the cross-bolt safety is placed just ahead of the trigger.

This is a sensible first deer gun for New Jersey, where deer are taken with shotgun, muzzleloader or bow only. A 12 gauge fits the state's 10-to-20 gauge rule, and the interchangeable choke lets you run slugs or buckshot in December and then thread in a tighter tube for shot loads the rest of the year. A deer shotgun in the state may hold no more than three shells, so the 5+1 tube has to be limited before the Six-Day Firearm season opens on December 7.

Key features

• 12 gauge pump action, 5+1 capacity
• 28-inch vent-rib barrel, Accu-Choke compatible
• 3-inch chamber, front bead sight
• Blued steel, black synthetic stock and forearm
• Twin action bars, dual extractors, cross-bolt safety

Ships to the New Jersey FFL dealer you name at checkout; bring your FPIC when you collect it.