As musch as I liked my Maverick 88, I love my 870 Express Magnum more--I think I would cough up a couple more bucks for an 870 express over a mossturd. IOMA. If available that is. Seen more than one 500 that had to be slammed open to free an empty in a duck pit, with factory loads.
$147 for Mavs in McKinney Texas....$300 for a Mav 88? Damn! I paid $180 for mine at Wal Mart.