Ruger Red Label Reintroduced
 

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

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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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.

Maybe just a O/U configuration of an RBL?

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.

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 --

Attachment 138495

I love these vintage pictures.

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

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!

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.

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.

The 28ga Red Label is a nice gun.

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

Red Label 28 Engraved
 

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.

Ruger Red Label 20 gauge
 

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.