Maverick Arms Model 88

[Shotmaker]

A friend of mines Maverick Arms Model 88 is very hard to pump, sometimes to the point to hitting the buttstock on the ground. Any one know how to get it to loosen up? Parts to polish or replace?

Thanks

 

[Kingjoey]

Two things that help on a new Mossberg/Maverick, polishing the chamber and dehorning the edge of the locking lug.

 

[QuietM4]

What, exactly, does "hard to pump" mean?

Do you mean the physical amount of force needed to cycle the action is difficult? Is there a fired shell stuck in the chamber that you cannot extract without slamming the buttstock on the ground? Is there a protruding screw or part that is grinding the action? Is the gun clean and properly lubricated?

"Hard to pump" doesn't mean anything without more context.

 

[Shotmaker]

Thanks for the replies, I will have him check for protruding screws, and locking lug.

 

[Cbvanb]

I had a friend with a Mossberg 500, which is basically the same gun, that had the same problem. Even the trigger was hard to pull. I finally took it apart one day and it was caked with dried grease, apparently from the factory. Once I cleaned it out the action was slick and the trigger was acceptable.