No more Ruger Red Labels

[CJB]

Sadly for me... I find that the Red Label, in all its variations, is gone completely from the Ruger website.

I've really enjoyed my own, a first generation Red Label (takes Winchoke tubes).

Maybe we'll see 'em come back when things improve.

[Micha2u]

I see what you mean...there are no shotguns on the Ruger website. I realize that shotgun sales in the industry have been depressed and Ruger has been pushing production of their top selling rifles and handguns but thought that the Red Label production would continue.

I've got both a 20 ga. and 12 ga. Red Label and was thinking about a 28 but never made the buy.

Good shotguns, I really like them. If they drop them, I doubt that they will be back. Remember the Gold Label side-by-side?

[CJB]

I've done some reading, someone with some inside info said they only made less than 500 Red Labels total per year, in all gauges. I've had two - both first series - a 26 and a 28 inch. Currently only the 28 inch.

The Red Label was one of WB Ruger's last personal designs (not him alone, but he was involved in a major way). He pushed it through his own company, wanting to have something that could maybe cater to a market, be USA made (at the time there were no American O/U's), and have a touch of elegance. The whole market for such things has shifted, as you said. Not enough snobbery for the Sporting Clays crowd, never made in a Trap version... but ya know what? I've killed a whole lot of little swamp rabbits with my Red Label, outshooting the trenchers with 870's, Mossbergs and 1100's. A whole lot of bunnies have been cleared with the Red Label. Shot a great Blue Wing Teal, and a great Widgeon too... and other ducks, but those are memorable. And... its got a lot of life left in it. I'll never shoot it out.

[jlottmc]

Maybe Ruger will come out with a nice side by side, or better a good pump based on the 870 action. I'd buy those. Then again, I find that over and under just doesn't trip my trigger. I would like to see a rabbit eared coach gun whose hammers actually drive firing pins from a quality maker.

[Micha2u]

I listened to an interview a while back where Michael Fifer, Ruger's current CEO, indicated that he added some engineers to gear up for a quicker response on new projects. "Shotgun" was one of the new product areas he mentioned.

Given the current market for shotguns, I suspect that a pump or auto is probably in the works. Probably tactical and rugged, as Ruger's usually are.

[Jeremiah/Az]

I have a Ruger Red Label in 12 gauge that I bought new. I shot a few rounds of trap with it & the stock broke slam in to @ the wrist. I called Ruger & they said to send it to them.

I went to a UPS satellite store & they said that we don't ship guns. I called UPS to ask their policy. They said tell us where you live & we'll come pick it up, which they did. UPS had a preprinted address label, & postage paid for by Ruger.

Ruger paid shipping both ways & put a new stock on it. No charge to me.:D

[CJB]

Ruger has always had very good repair response and quality. Most of the time, they'll completely refinish whatever you send them, just because, at no cost.

[joshh]

i read an article recently about how over-unders are a poor design and obsolete but every time i hold a quality one it makes me feel like shootin. my brain says its a waste of money, but... someday i'll drop the $$$$ on one.

[CJB]

Over unders... poor design. Browning Superposed, designed by Val Browning while working at FN with his dad John Mose'.... bad design. I think not!

Forget the myth of the single sighting over a single barrel...etc etc... I've shot doubles to great success (at times, other times fooey). Its a matter sport, elegance, and choice. O/U's are just nice guns, no matter what the nay sayers declare. S/S also nice! I shot a nice little SKB S/S 20g that we opened up from full/mod to mod/mod at the shop (talk about honing time... jeeeze). What a sweet little gun with 26 inch tubes. They seemed longer, but it shot and swung particularly well.