New Ruger Red Label
- Thread starter GuyGeorges
- Start date
There is a lot of chatter and several user reviews of the new RRL on Shotgun World forum.
I haven't seen or heard of one in Canada yet; I suspect Prophet River or The Gun Dealer would get some as soon as they're available. Ruger has been slow to ship over the last year.
I haven't seen or heard of one in Canada yet; I suspect Prophet River or The Gun Dealer would get some as soon as they're available. Ruger has been slow to ship over the last year.
ninepointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
Silverado,
What's general theme of the chatter? Hopefully its a better gun than the previous sub-par offering.
What's general theme of the chatter? Hopefully its a better gun than the previous sub-par offering.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Here is just a couple of short blurbs from the net, the first from Field & Stream and the second from Ruger. On shotgun world, a lot of the chatter is "we'll see how good it actually is once they are in use". Apparently, a lot of shooters feel it is the same old Ruger that was produced before, only made cheaper. In fact, the cheaper part might be its selling point as you can buy one in the US for around $1000.00 which is cheaper than a Beretta or Browning. Of course the real verdict will come from owners who actually use them.
The Ruger Red Label is back. Introduced in 1977, the Red Label Over/Under officially disappeared from the Ruger catalog in 2011, although it had been missing unofficially for a couple of years. The Red Label is the most complicated and labor-intensive gun Ruger makes, and I figured it was gone for good since the shotgun market is soft while the handgun/home defense/tactical market is booming. I was wrong. It was on hiatus, undergoing a redesign.
The 12 gauge models are available now, with 20s to follow in 2014. Except for some cosmetic differences, the Red Label looks very much as it always has. The side ribs between the barrels, which used to be owner-removable, are now gone. The big news is, the barrels are lighter by a few ounces for better handling, and the price has dropped $400. Ruger engineers went through the gun simplifying and in some cases eliminating parts to make the gun less expensive to produce. I have had a chance to shoot targets and hunt pheasants with the Red Label and will report on it in the magazine early next year.
The short version is this: The Red Label—except for the wand-like 28 gauge—was always a heavy gun. It was a mix of nice walnut and graceful lines and iffy fit and finish. It was beloved by many hunters who liked the idea of carrying an American-made O/U in the field. All of that is still true. Although it's livelier now, it's still a Red Label, and it's still made in New Hampshire.
The newest, most exciting change though, is that the Red Label will list for $1399.
From the press release …
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announces the launch of the newly redesigned Red Label over-and-under shotgun. Known for years as a top choice of American hunters and clay shooters for its world-renowned rugged construction and handsome American styling – the Red Label returns. The shotgun now features refined inner workings, a new center of gravity and reduced recoil. These new improvements deliver improved comfort and an enhanced shooting performance.
Shooters that have frequented the woods, fields and clay courses know the Ruger® Red Label shotgun has been a reliable performer that swings easily. The new 12 gauge Red Label has a redistributed center of gravity for even greater instinctual swing and pointing. Two-inch extended forcing cones, maximum back-bored barrels and a soft Pachmayr® buttpad enhance the shooting experience with reduced recoil. The Red Label’s familiar, low profile receiver reduces muzzle climb because the centerline of the bore is closer to the gun’s center mass. The new Red Label makes for an extremely comfortable shooting shotgun in the field or on the range.
“After 32 years of production, we put the Red Label on hiatus in 2011,” commented Ruger President and CEO, Mike Fifer. “We knew we could employ newer technology, improve the design and deliver a better performing Red Label. We have done that and restored the Red Label as the best American-made, over-and-under shotgun on the market.”
The Red Label features an American Walnut stock with a 1.5” drop at comb and a 2.5” drop at heel. Red Label shotguns are available with 26”, 28”or 30” barrels and each model features a 14.5” length of pull. The new models retain the Red Label’s classic lines and good looks, which are further enhanced by the new stainless steel top lever. The suggested retail price for all three models is $1,399.
Each shotgun includes a custom molded, semi-soft case, five Briley® chokes (two skeet chokes and one full, one modified and one improved cylinder choke), a premium-quality Briley® choke tube wrench and a safety lock.
The Ruger Red Label is back. Introduced in 1977, the Red Label Over/Under officially disappeared from the Ruger catalog in 2011, although it had been missing unofficially for a couple of years. The Red Label is the most complicated and labor-intensive gun Ruger makes, and I figured it was gone for good since the shotgun market is soft while the handgun/home defense/tactical market is booming. I was wrong. It was on hiatus, undergoing a redesign.
The 12 gauge models are available now, with 20s to follow in 2014. Except for some cosmetic differences, the Red Label looks very much as it always has. The side ribs between the barrels, which used to be owner-removable, are now gone. The big news is, the barrels are lighter by a few ounces for better handling, and the price has dropped $400. Ruger engineers went through the gun simplifying and in some cases eliminating parts to make the gun less expensive to produce. I have had a chance to shoot targets and hunt pheasants with the Red Label and will report on it in the magazine early next year.
The short version is this: The Red Label—except for the wand-like 28 gauge—was always a heavy gun. It was a mix of nice walnut and graceful lines and iffy fit and finish. It was beloved by many hunters who liked the idea of carrying an American-made O/U in the field. All of that is still true. Although it's livelier now, it's still a Red Label, and it's still made in New Hampshire.
The newest, most exciting change though, is that the Red Label will list for $1399.
From the press release …
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announces the launch of the newly redesigned Red Label over-and-under shotgun. Known for years as a top choice of American hunters and clay shooters for its world-renowned rugged construction and handsome American styling – the Red Label returns. The shotgun now features refined inner workings, a new center of gravity and reduced recoil. These new improvements deliver improved comfort and an enhanced shooting performance.
Shooters that have frequented the woods, fields and clay courses know the Ruger® Red Label shotgun has been a reliable performer that swings easily. The new 12 gauge Red Label has a redistributed center of gravity for even greater instinctual swing and pointing. Two-inch extended forcing cones, maximum back-bored barrels and a soft Pachmayr® buttpad enhance the shooting experience with reduced recoil. The Red Label’s familiar, low profile receiver reduces muzzle climb because the centerline of the bore is closer to the gun’s center mass. The new Red Label makes for an extremely comfortable shooting shotgun in the field or on the range.
“After 32 years of production, we put the Red Label on hiatus in 2011,” commented Ruger President and CEO, Mike Fifer. “We knew we could employ newer technology, improve the design and deliver a better performing Red Label. We have done that and restored the Red Label as the best American-made, over-and-under shotgun on the market.”
The Red Label features an American Walnut stock with a 1.5” drop at comb and a 2.5” drop at heel. Red Label shotguns are available with 26”, 28”or 30” barrels and each model features a 14.5” length of pull. The new models retain the Red Label’s classic lines and good looks, which are further enhanced by the new stainless steel top lever. The suggested retail price for all three models is $1,399.
Each shotgun includes a custom molded, semi-soft case, five Briley® chokes (two skeet chokes and one full, one modified and one improved cylinder choke), a premium-quality Briley® choke tube wrench and a safety lock.
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Generally, gunsaholic's post summarizes it well. Not many have handled or shot the new RRL yet, and there is some skepticism around it, owing to opinions of the former model similar to your own.
I owned a RRL several years ago, and thought it was a very good gun indeed; I regretted selling it. I will say that I have a special affinity for Ruger firearms however. They are (were) quite heavy, but that didn't bother me.
That said, I think if the basic quality is there, the new RRL will offer a nice option for O/U buyers that will fall between the lower end imports and the Citori in terms of price.
It will be interesting to see.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Yes, if the basic quality is there it should find its market share with the CZ and Yildiz guns. It's lower priced than the B guns but above the Hatsan, Mossberg Silver Reserve and Stevens 512 crap.
Exactly. Variety is good, and some like to support American manufacturers when possible.
There will certainly be detractors, likely stating that "the RRL isn't a 5000 round-per-year gun!", but not everyone wants or needs that either.
I don't think Ruger will surprise us with a gun that's better built than a Citori though...
There will certainly be detractors, likely stating that "the RRL isn't a 5000 round-per-year gun!", but not everyone wants or needs that either.
I don't think Ruger will surprise us with a gun that's better built than a Citori though...
Scott Bear
Regular
- Location
- Prince George
Any advantage to the mechanical triggers?
