I have the same gun as Blind Dog, a 28" 28 gauge straight stock, with a 1" red pad but engraved. The stock is so small at the grip my rather large hand will wrap around it almost twice it seems but I have killed my limit of doves with it before when the birds were cooperating. I love the longer barrel for birds, and mine has screw in chokes so it doubles on rabbits from time to time. Use skeet and full for bunnies and birds as well.

I wanted the engraved version so I took the stock off and sent the receiver to the company that engraves them for Ruger. $350 plus shipping. It came back with a big nick on the opening lever, so back it went to have the lever replaced.

I have two, a 12 and a 20. They are both sporting clays models.
I shot them well, but I normally only shoot Parkers now.

JA Early, who was this engraver who you sent the receiver to for upgrading?

Bill,

In 2008 Baron Technology, Inc. (62 Spring Hill Rd, Turnbull, CT 06611) was the company that did the machine engraving on the engraved Rugers. Tom Lent at 203 452-0515 was whom I dealt with then. Of course the 28s get the gold woodcock on the side with the gold Ruger emblem underneath. I wonder how much it has gone up since then?

BARON TECHNOLOGY ENGRAVING
 

I would like to see some pics of the engraved Red Labels. I don't recall ever having seen any.

My Wife had Ruger Red Labels. The one that has gotten the most use was the original blued receiver 26-inch barrel 20-gauge choked improved cylinder and modified, which she used for Doves. My Father used it for Geese on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for two trips when he came to visit in January 1980 and 81. When they are in over the decoys you don't need a cannon!! The guy who ran our lease near Bucktown actually used a Remington 1100 20-gauge skeet gun. My Wife doesn't shoot much any more and her stainless steel versions have flowed down the river of commerce, but we still have her blued receiver 20-gauge and a rather scarce very early blued steel receiver 12-gauge NIB.

None of them ever gave us a bit of trouble, and I'd rate that 28-inch barrel 28-gauge as the one of the best handling 28-gauges I've ever shot.

I have an unfired Red Label "Woodside" Sporting Clays model in 12ga. Has 30" barrels and an attractive piece of wood. Seems to swing nicely, but as expected, a little heavy for field use.Bought it simply because it looks different.

I am pleased to see so many positive comments on Ruger products, especially shotguns. I own some Ruger stock and it has also performed pretty well over the years. I like owning a piece of sport shooting.

My "go to" gun for bigger birds is a Ruger 12. It was bored out by its first owner who also had it ported. I like the mechanical triggers for their reliability (after a couple of Brownings that weren't so reliable) I also bought it about 25/30 years ago for a great price!