New Red Label

[Tensaw]

Has anyone purchased or handled the new Red Label?

There is a article written about it in the Jan/Feb 2014 issue of Shooting Sportsman magazine. States that it includes many of the original design elements, but modern machining has made it more durable and economical. New RL uses a one piece cast receiver and other CNC machining improves. Also, Ruger addressed reducing the "perceived" recoil.

To me it is still impressive that you can get this quality of an O/U for $1399 SRP.

I have a 20 ga. which I truly enjoy shooting. I think I'll put a new 12 ga. on the short list.

 

[Big Old Boy]

I would like one just don't shoot shot guns that much. I know her in Tn. you can get one from $950-$1050.not a bad price for a great gun.

 

[wwb]

........ New RL uses a one piece cast receiver and other CNC machining improves. .....

The original Red Label had a one-piece investment cast receiver, so there's nothing new there.

 

[NH Rugerman]

........ New RL uses a one piece cast receiver and other CNC machining improves. .....

The original Red Label had a one-piece investment cast receiver, so there's nothing new there.

The original Red Label had a two piece receiver that was welded and polished to look like a one piece receiver. Cast in two pieces...I think you can find a video on Ruger.com and check it out...

 

[wwb]

The original Red Label had a two piece receiver that was welded and polished to look like a one piece receiver. Cast in two pieces...I think you can find a video on Ruger.com and check it out...

Looked on the Ruger website, and couldn't find anything about the old Red Label. I shot an original Red Label for about 17 years, and had the stock off it several times to clean and lube the innards. If it was a two-piece unit, they did a damn fine job of making it look like it was one piece. From the hinge to the breech face and right on down the tang there was no trace of a seam, both on the finished outer surface and the unfinished interior.

 

[Tigerbeetle]

I bought a new RL in January. I have been recovering from rotator cuff surgery and didn't have a chance to shoot it until this past Monday. It will take me a bit to get used to it. It is heavier and longer (30 vs 26 in barrels on my Citori), and my right arm strength isn't up top speed yet. Consequently I didn't shoot it well, but is shot GOOD. Went bang every time through 5 boxes. Shoulder wasn't sore at the end of the day, so all was good.

I have wanted one for a long time and probably saw one of the same articles you did. I was looking for a 28" but when the 30 inch was found (finally) in a LGS, I hemmed and hawed around and tried to hold it with a sore arm and decided I did want it. Been waxing and wiping it down for three months.

Read on another forum where a fellow had problems with the lower barrel firing pin. Almost had me in preshock syndrome :shock: , but it never missed a beat. I am going to get back to the range in the next week or two and try to do better. The gun has a much different feel from my others, except maybe my Mdl 12, 12 ga. Win. which weighs about the same. Entirely different from my Citori lightning.

My gaff, a couple times was accidently changing the barrel selection from bottom to upper on a couple singles stations and getting a resounding click. A little more care in going off safety on mount took care of that. I prefer to keep the safety the was it is because I also hunt and prefer the auto safe after reloading.

Great day. I really do like the gun and the chokes and case which comes with it.

Now, I need to start saving for a 20 ga. Yeahhhhhh
Tigerbeetle man:

 

[Ruger168]

I watched welders at Ruger weld those receivers together and saw the guys in polishing make them look like one piece. It takes a great deal of talent and Ruger has had some GREAT talent under their roof. I like the Red Label, especially the early blued shotguns with fixed chokes.

 

[Jim Puke]

The original Red Label had a two piece receiver that was welded and polished to look like a one piece receiver. Cast in two pieces...I think you can find a video on Ruger.com and check it out...

Looked on the Ruger website, and couldn't find anything about the old Red Label. I shot an original Red Label for about 17 years, and had the stock off it several times to clean and lube the innards. If it was a two-piece unit, they did a damn fine job of making it look like it was one piece. From the hinge to the breech face and right on down the tang there was no trace of a seam, both on the finished outer surface and the unfinished interior.

They were 2 piece receivers...

 

[No-1]

Was kicking around getting a RL but found a like new Japanese Weatherby Orion II.

 

[Stevej]

Not trying to revive a dead thread, but I picked up a new RRL yesterday. I've had multiples of them, 12s and 20s for the last 20 years or so. I have a 12 ga 30" Sporting Clays with gazillions of rounds through it and a 26" 20 ga that's been to Argentina for mega-shooting a couple of times. Never a hiccup with either. I was really bummed when they stopped production a couple of years ago.
Yesterday I traded into one of the new ones and I'm pleased as punch, what ever that means. The action is smoother, the triggers are crisper, the wood is magnificent for a Ruger, and the balance has changed, perhaps just slightly, but for the better. Back-bored with longer forcing cones and the chokes are Brileys. Now I need to shoot it and see if all that makes any difference or if it's still me that's the limiting factor.

 

[mrbumps]

I was at a local FFL the other day that specializes in shotguns. He told me he had just turned down a Red Label from his distributer because the wholesale price had just gone up $300. Hope the increased prices don't kill it again.

 

[NH Rugerman]

I was at a local FFL the other day that specializes in shotguns. He told me he had just turned down a Red Label from his distributer because the wholesale price had just gone up $300. Hope the increased prices don't kill it again.

It appears the MSRP is now $1795.00. Knew I should have bought one when I had the chance!

 

[Tigerbeetle]

I was at a local FFL the other day that specializes in shotguns. He told me he had just turned down a Red Label from his distributer because the wholesale price had just gone up $300. Hope the increased prices don't kill it again.

It appears the MSRP is now $1795.00. Knew I should have bought one when I had the chance!

OUCH!! That may be a killer for my wanting to get a 20 ga. to complete the pair. Haven't seen any out there yet anyway. But it sure is a game killer, but still a good buy even at that, but......
Tigerbeetle

 

[RugerFan1911]

Bought the new RL in May after many searches trying to find one. I really like this gun!!! Got the 30" barrel because I use it for trap and skeet. Got it for $1050. Did notice that they recently went up $300.

Even with the increased price it's still a great deal in my opinion.

 

[clayflingythingy]

With a street price of $1,000 the RL was probably a good buy. With a $1,400 street price it probably is not such a good buy.

 

[NH Rugerman]

With a street price of $1,000 the RL was probably a good buy. With a $1,400 street price it probably is not such a good buy.

I was lucky enough to find a 26" barreled RL for $999.00, apparently the dealer had bought it when they first came out and it has been in his shop for a year or so. He has mostly a black gun clientele so I got lucky as I do not go there often.

The catch is the finish on the buttstock was poor right from the factory. I bought it and asked him to send back to Ruger for repair/replacement....patiently waiting but hoping for "employee" grade wood upon return!

I guess there are a few out there at the old pricing.

 

[Tenbore]

I bought my RL a number of years ago for around $800. I thought that was too high then.

 

[Tigerbeetle]

NH R, that is a bummer to buy a gun and then have it sent right back. You got a good price on it, however. I hope you have it back by now, or real soon in any event. I hope you get some pretty wood for your efforts.

The wood on mine is nothing fancy, just a nice straight grain.

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[NH Rugerman]

TB
Thanks, the wood on the one I sent back was pretty boring straight grain walnut...I have not heard from the dealer but I expect to get the shotgun back this week.. We will see..