Ruger Red Label Reintroduced

[Craig Larter]

I see Ruger has reintroduced the 20ga Red Label made for Ruger by CSMC. Interesting

[Dean Romig]

I bought new an original 20 gauge made in 1984. I graduated a long time ago to Parkers.
I sold my Ruger to help finance my first Parker DH and I've never looked back.
I have a few Ruger rifles and a couple of Ruger revolvers but I certainly don't need or even want an O/U Ruger of any description. YMMV :cheers:





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[Andrew Sacco]

Never was a fan of Ruger Red Labels and certainly am not a fan of CSMC. But that's just me. I love Ruger revolvers and love my Mini 14. I was lucky enough to see Bill Rugers Red Label prototype in all blued finish, looks better than the chrome look.

[Stephen Hodges]

Maybe just a O/U configuration of an RBL?

[Daniel Carter]

I have handled Ruger Red labels, both 12 and 20 and did not find the handling qualities and balance to my way of shooting or carrying. They were weighty, blocky and cumbersome.
A skeet shooting friend owned an industrial engraving co. and did a lot of their work. He was showing me a new model of the Red label sent to him for engraving about 8 years ago which the company never made. It was a cheapened version and they did not want it back.

[Dave Noreen]

Of all the guns in my closet when my father came east to go goose hunting at my lease at Bucktown, Maryland, the gun he chose was my wife's early, blued frame, 20-gauge Ruger Red Label --

138495

[Phillip Carr]

I love these vintage pictures.

[Pete Lester]

It better be a whole lot better then it was with an MSRP of $3299.

[Jeff Kuss]

I guess I will stick with my 12 and 20 ga sporting clays red labels. Problem is that I can't remember the last time I shot them!

[Brian Dudley]

It is nothing than a re-branded CSMC revelation/inverness/21-o/u. At $1,000 higher cost than the Revelation. No different than what they did on that A grade Fox for Savage a few hears ago.

Not that the revelation is a bad gun. I feel they are a good gun for the money. But Ruger doing this is a mis-step in my opinion. Anyone who knows better, knows better.

Bill Ruger would be rolling over in his grave. Ruger should be MAKING guns they sell. Not just marketing them.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Bought a first year production RRL 20 while a grad student at Ohio State in the late 70s. Went to an ohio Gun Collectors Association show with a member.
20 ga, 26 in Skeet/skeet, blued frame, better than normal wood, paid $500.
Thought it would be the ultimate grouse gun well , it was better than my 12 ga 870 with 28 in mod barrel.
Sold it in the late 80s to help pay for my DHE 16.
Still would like to have a straight grip RRL 28
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[Dylan Rhodes]

Bought a first year production RRL 20 while a grad student at Ohio State in the late 70s. Went to an ohio Gun Collectors Association show with a member.
20 ga, 26 in Skeet/skeet, blued frame, better than normal wood, paid $500.
Thought it would be the ultimate grouse gun well , it was better than my 12 ga 870 with 28 in mod barrel.
Sold it in the late 80s to help pay for my DHE 16.
Still would like to have a straight grip RRL 28
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I think Josh has one on his GI.

[Daryl Corona]

The 28ga Red Label is a nice gun.

[Stephen Hodges]

Brian, as a NH resident and supporter of Ruger for years I could not agree more with your comments.

[Jerry Harlow]

Don't bad mouth the old Red Labels. I love this one for rabbits. 28 gauge, 28" with five chokes. Usually use skeet and full. It was the plain model, and I sent it back to the company that did their engraving work for the upgrade.

[Larry Stauch]

I recently sold two of them in 26" 20 gauge. One skeet/skeet and the other one IC/Mod and struggled to get $1400 out of them and they were pretty much mint. I can't imagine what the business analysis was to support this decision.

[Jay Oliver]

I do like Ruger for riffles and revolvers. I think the Ruger #1 is just a great rifle along with the M77 and their first productions Ruger Vaquero in 45 Colt are just wonderful.

In 2000, I ordered a new 12ga Red Label Woodside with a straight stock and 28" barrels. It was my first "high dollar" shotgun. It was a good looking gun and I tried so hard to fall in love with it. I just didn't shoot it well. Looking back some Briley chokes might have helped over the factory ones. I sold it one my Parker addiction started. I do regret that a little, but if you saw me shoot it you would agree, it was frustrating to say the least.

In the last year or two I bought a 28ga Red Label that I think one of my kids will use. The stock had been cut, which was perfect and I bought a replacement stock to add when needed. All is all it seems like a nice gun.

When Ruger introduced their Gold Label, I really tried to get excited about that too, but I just couldn't.

Like others have said, it would be great if Ruger was actually making these. I might give one another try, even though I am 99.99% sxs these days.

[Mike Koneski]

I have a Ruger Red Label 20g because it was free. I have plenty of Ruger rifles. I'm a fan of the M77, 77/22, Mini14 and American rifles. I was able to handle and shoot their ill-fated Gold Label SxS. I liked it. I have no interest in an overpriced CSMC Red Label.

[Mike Koneski]

It is nothing than a re-branded CSMC revelation/inverness/21-o/u. At $1,000 higher cost than the Revelation. No different than what they did on that A grade Fox for Savage a few hears ago.

Not that the revelation is a bad gun. I feel they are a good gun for the money. But Ruger doing this is a mis-step in my opinion. Anyone who knows better, knows better.

Bill Ruger would be rolling over in his grave. Ruger should be MAKING guns they sell. Not just marketing them.

Brian is dead-nuts-on!! :clap:

[Mills Morrison]

Julia has a Ruger Red Label that was one of her first guns. A solid gun as far as over / unders are concerned.

[Mike Koneski]

There’s no denying it’s a solid gun. They just aren’t worth what CSMC will be charging.

[Mike Franzen]

I had a 28 gauge RRL years ago. I thought it was going to be my go to for rabbits and squirrels but it turned out I didn’t care that much about it. I was in to M12’s and ended up selling it. Overall I like Ruger products and hope they remain successful.

[Chris Pope]

Can't say how many times I walked into a gun store when in my 20's and early 30's, and wished a red label would feel good when i put it to shoulder...and none of them ever did. They all felt the way many here have described. Then in January of 2012 I walked into the KTP gun department in Kittery ME and the Ruger Rep was there doing a promotion. We chatted about the 12's and 20's and he asked if I'd ever put a ruger 28 to my shoulder. I said no and reluctantly gave it a shot. The 20 or so times I mounted that shotgun my eye and the rib landed right where it should and it actually felt like it balanced and swung right. I came back and bought it the next day. While not my go-to it has taken a fair share of woodcock, quail and grouse. Also one of my favorites to take to skeet range.
A few weeks ago I posted a fotoFriday thread when a buddy from up north borrowed the Ruger 28 for the day down here in SC and took a wild bob with it on his first shot. Below is a close up look at the engraved woodcock. Even though not produced by human hand I still like it a lot.

[Brett Trimble]

The general consensus is right on the money here.

Just to add 2c.. Ruger’s founder is long gone and the companies identity is slowly changing. From an innovative manufacturing company to a run of the mill business with professional management. Evidence the recent acquisition of Marlin and now a straight distribution deal. Right out of the M&A playbook..

The good news is that the culture of quality is still strong. Ruger made Marlins seem to be the best that have been made in many years. While we may not like Ruger distributing a gun, at least it’s a good quality product.

Interesting note on pricing, the lowest price Revelation I see on the CSMC website is right at $4K. Significantly higher than Ruger’s list price for their version..

Best,
Brett

[Brian Dudley]

I have not looked at the Revelation pricing lately. Their introductory pricing was very good. Like $1700 or something, but they were dealing as low as $1400-1500 on them.
The last I knew they were up around $2500 or so. Maybe they are up over the Ruger price point now. CSMC messes around a lot with their retail prices up and down.

[Alfred Houde]

I think when Steve Sanetti left that was the last of any actual ties with the Ruger family name.

When I attended their Armorer school in New Hampshire many years ago the factory tour was very impressive. The pride in their product ran from the two guys teaching the course, on the production and assembly line, right down to the guys driving a forklift in shipping.

I hope good things for the new Red Label, but I'm skeptical. And I agree that those engraved 28-gauge guns are very nice. The early Red Labels like the No. 1 single-shot rifles seemed to have very nice wood on them.

[Dean Romig]

Can't say how many times I walked into a gun store when in my 20's and early 30's, and wished a red label would feel good when i put it to shoulder...and none of them ever did. They all felt the way many here have described. Then in January of 2012 I walked into the KTP gun department in Kittery ME and the Ruger Rep was there doing a promotion. We chatted about the 12's and 20's and he asked if I'd ever put a ruger 28 to my shoulder. I said no and reluctantly gave it a shot. The 20 or so times I mounted that shotgun my eye and the rib landed right where it should and it actually felt like it balanced and swung right. I came back and bought it the next day. While not my go-to it has taken a fair share of woodcock, quail and grouse. Also one of my favorites to take to skeet range.
A few weeks ago I posted a fotoFriday thread when a buddy from up north borrowed the Ruger 28 for the day down here in SC and took a wild bob with it on his first shot. Below is a close up look at the engraved woodcock. Even though not produced by human hand I still like it a lot.


The 20 gauge Red Label I bought in about ‘82 never fit me correctly. The upper surface of the rib resembled a launching ramp for a German WWII rocket headed for London. I always had to physically compensate for that very high-shooting gun.




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[Brett Trimble]

Brian,

You’re so right about CMC pricing. I thought the CMC/Savage /Fox was a nice looking gun that would be perfect for upland birds in California where lead shot is totally banned.

I saw a 12ga version with very nice wood on GB that said “make an offer”. I offered what it was worth to me and to my great surprise they accepted.

I had the shiny stuff taken off the wood, and had the dimensions altered and a pad added.

Once I got my head around what it is (and what it’s not) I have really enjoyed it. I’ve shot hundreds of doves, many pheasants and a smattering of prairie chickens, sharp tails and quail with it in California, Arizona, South Dakota and elsewhere.

It has nothing to do with Fox guns, IMO. It’s kind of an RBL without the round action. I suspect the “case coloring” may not be and the barrels are spaced a little further apart from each other than I’d like.. But, it is well balanced, versatile, good looking and will digest anything I stuff in it, even 3in Roman candles.

If it gets rained on I just clean and oil it afterwards. If it’s lost or destroyed by baggage handlers, J’ll be unhappy but it won’t be the end of the world!

I’ll bet there are guys who think the same of the Revelation/Red Label. IF they could buy one for about half the asking price of the Red Label. :)

Best,
Brett

[Alfred Houde]

Going back to Mr. Ruger, I have met a few celebrities or otherwise famous folks during the course of my careers. I generally don't get star struck but it was very cool to meet Bill Ruger. To me, he was what America is all about. He had an idea, and along with the late Alexander Sturm, he put it into action and provided a very well made, American product.

I have to agree that I don't think he would be too thrilled about this development or the direction that his company has taken. Some of it is survival and sign of the times for sure, but I don't think he would be happy about it.

[Kirk Potter]

The Red Label holds a special place in my heart, it was my first true double gun. At the time (my early 20’s) it was a pretty high end purchase at $1,250. Shot a lot of grouse and woodcock with it and have great memories with some great dogs.

The problem is that there is such a small market for double guns that to be American made it’s going to have to be more than most people are willing to pay. I don’t blame them for not wanting to spend the money on development costs and machinery for a low volume gun. Just the world we live in now.

[Mike Koneski]

I agree to a point Kirk. However, O/U shotguns sell like hotcakes. If someone is looking for an O/U, a new Browning or Beretta would probably be purchased before a Red Label especially at the CSMC price. Just sayin’.

[Andrew Sacco]

I agree to a point Kirk. However, O/U shotguns sell like hotcakes. If someone is looking for an O/U, a new Browning or Beretta would probably be purchased before a Red Label especially at the CSMC price. Just sayin’.

Agree. It is damn hard to beat a Citori. The Toyota Corolla of O/U shotguns.

[Christopher Cefalu]

I had the opportunity to handle the new RRL 20ga. at the Shot Show last week. I was impressed with the weight, balance, and look, but was a little put off by the price point. I agree with what the group here and I think it's going to be difficult for Ruger to compete with Beretta, Browning, and Benelli in this field.

[John Dallas]

What was the price?

[Christopher Cefalu]

$3299.00 MSRP. Depending on dealer cost, we might see them on the shelves of major box stores below the advertised MSRP.

[Stephen Hodges]

At that price point they will be discontinued in two years!

[Arthur Shaffer]

I owned a few Red Labels over the years. Nothing memorable except the 28 ga I bought new. It hit a sweet spot that was entirely differen from the rest.

[allen newell]

Who is selling them ? Just CSMC?

[Arthur Shaffer]

Maybe just a O/U configuration of an RBL?

I had to laugh at this because when the RBL first was announced, there was probably four times as much chatter about the possible SKB source of the RBL design than about the gun itself. I could never fathom why this mattered, since the SKB was a solid design in my opinion. About a year ago, I bought a nice little French 20 ga double from the 20's that had a broken top lever spring. I looked through some parts catalogs and found one for $5 that looked like it might fit. It was for an SKB double and it literally almost dropped in. Hmmm. Maybe the RBL was not the first knockoff of this design!