The Maverick 88 Cruiser is the pistol-grip version of the Maverick 88 pump: an 18.5-inch barrel, black synthetic grip and forend and no shoulder stock, which brings overall length to 31 inches and weight to 5.75 pounds. The 3-inch chamber feeds from a 5+1 magazine. Under the blue and black finish the action locks steel to steel and runs on two action bars, with a pair of extractors and an elevator designed against jams. A bead at the muzzle and a cross-bolt manual safety finish it off.

Without a stock this is a close-quarters gun, and that is how Maverick lists it. The chambering still counts as a 12 gauge under Connecticut's deer rules, where single projectiles are allowed on private land from November 18 to December 8, but the pistol grip and 31-inch length make it an indoor gun more than a deer gun. Treat it as a home-defense shotgun that shares its action with the stocked Maverick 88.

Key features

• Pump-action 12 gauge, 5+1 capacity
• 18.5-inch barrel, 31 inches overall, 5.75 pounds
• Black synthetic pistol grip and forend
• Dual extractors, twin action bars, anti-jam elevator
• Cross-bolt manual safety, bead sight

It ships to your chosen Connecticut FFL dealer; the dealer runs the background check and completes the transfer.