Ruger Red Label Reintroduced

[Mike of the Mountain]

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

[B. 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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