Looking for the best bang for your buck on a shotgun in 2025? The Mossberg Maverick 88 still reigns supreme as the go-to affordable pump-action, a title it’s held for decades. But let’s take a trip down memory lane to the early 20th century, when budget-conscious shooters had to settle for bolt-action repeaters. These quirky designs, often dismissed by modern gun snobs, featured choke systems that were, let’s just say, less than aesthetically pleasing. Think “dog turd” levels of ugly. So, while the Maverick 88 might not win any beauty contests, it sure beats the hell out of those old clunkers!