Old Red Label

[hedrok]

Recently purchased a very early (first run, I was told) 20ga., 26"bbl, fixed chokes, that was likely somebody's favorite shotty (by the position of the release lever). It's position is left of center about as much as a new gun would be right of center. Is this something a total rookie could do something about...or gunsmith...or back to Ruger?? I REALLY like the gun and would hope I didn't buy a brokeback mule...but I don't know.
Shoots VERY well for me and probably worth some investment...maybe...if it's not too much.
Any advice will help. Thanks

 

[gunzo]

As I recall, early Red labels didn't position the release lever to the right of center when new. It was something that had to be explained many times that they were made that way & not badly worn. The design team must not have been double shooters or they would have known that most judge condition this way.
Your gun may or may not be worn a lot but the lever is not an indicator with an early RL. But, a call to Ruger may get the answer, providing you can get a person that's familiar with a 30 year old gun.

 

[hedrok]

WOW!! The other Red Labels I have must be newer then. They're still fixed chokes, but the
lever is to the right, as one would expect. I wonder if there is a fix for something that's not broken.
I'll call Ruger just to be sure.
Thank you, Gunzo.

 

[gunzo]

Your welcome hedrok. The call to Ruger is the best idea, kinda curious as to what they say. Remembering articles & gun talk from the late seventies can be sketchy at best.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Your welcome hedrok. The call to Ruger is the best idea, kinda curious as to what they say. Remembering articles & gun talk from the late seventies can be sketchy at best.

Roger that. :? I have a lot of those bits of info floating around in my head. Just don't ask me their source.

 

[hedrok]

Well, some may not like the answer, but, here it is: Called Ruger. "No parts available for 400 and 410 series Red Labels. If you return it to us, we will offer you a discount on a current production, new firearm, and keep yours."
According to Ruger..."no, a gunsmith won't be able to fix the problem because there are no parts and he'll have too much trouble making them." I actually doubt that, since I know of people who can take a steel bar and produce a fine firearm, as we all do. But...it becomes an issue of waiting time and value for the $$ spent. If this shotgun had great sentimental value...no question at all. But, as just a damn fine shooter, I cannot just put up a blank check and say "OK." I have another alternative which does not put it in the marketplace in a less than desirable condition...the seller has agreed to take it back and refund the $$...MUCH to his credit.
Thanks for the comments, guys.

 

[wwb]

For what it's worth, I shot trap, skeet, and sporting clays with a Red Label for a little more than 10 years.... probably close to 30,000 rounds. I had questions about the lever when I got it (new), because it sat straight back; neither right nor left of center. Called Ruger, and they said it wasn't a problem, and they would repair it if there were any issues.... this was 1991. When I sold it, the lever was still straight back.

 

[rugnelli]

Ditto to what wwb said, but shot at pheasants, ducks, and doves. We have two, one choked mod and full, the other imp cyl and mod, never had an issue with either.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

If it were mine, I'd first check the gun (or have it checked by a competent gunsmith) for a tight lockup. If there's no rattle that didn't come from the factory anywhere, have the headspace checked. Chances are if the gun locks up tightly, it's good. Have the chambers mic'd and the gun given a real good look over. If all checks out, just keep shooting it!

The lever to the right is a common "armchair check" because so many double guns, both SxS and O/U, were built in such a way as to be somewhat self-compensating for wear. It's been that way for a long time: my 1930 L.C. Smith is still tight as can be, though the lever's pretty close to center. I guess that's not bad after almost 90 years. My Brownings, dating back to 1973, haven't shown any obvious movement in up to 100k+ rounds on one Citori (someone else will have to check in for me when they reach 90!) So the various designs seem to work. Unfortunately, when Ruger got started with the Red Label, they seemed to ignore the fact some companies had been building O/Us for decades, and didn't borrow as many of their good ideas as many of us thought they should have. This seems to be one of them.

A really good shotgun-smith can do miracles with a torch when it comes to building up worn areas. My old boss did a lot of work on Perazzis, famous for premature wear in the early days, building up, refitting and hard facing the problem areas. Once he got a hold of them, they quit wearing for practical purposes! Hopefully you have someone with similar skills in your neighborhood if you ever need them.

Rick C

 

[hedrok]

I think if I knew the history on the gun...or...if I had the "really good shotgun smith" that I could work with, I would probably feel better. But, outside of you guys, I'm pretty much on my own. I have a rule that I always fall back on when it comes to decisions like this..."NEVER gamble what you can't afford to pay off." In this case, my grandkids will be shooting with me and I'm just too uneasy about the possibilities of learning a harsh lesson at their expense.
Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I think if I knew the history on the gun...or...if I had the "really good shotgun smith" that I could work with, I would probably feel better. But, outside of you guys, I'm pretty much on my own.

Hi,

Don't give up too easily!

For something like 50 years or so, the Amateur Trapshooting Association's headquarters were just a few miles north of Dayton in Vandalia, OH. And Ohio was and is one of the top States in the country for "target counts" blasting those dastardly little clay pigeons. One benefit of all that is there were a number of well known shotgun dealers in your State. I'm sure there still are in the southern part of the State as well as PA, another big clay target shooting State.

I'm not that familiar with Ohio except that tiny part around Vandalia, so these may or may not be guys within a reasonable distance from you, but I'd certainly contact them by phone or email for advice.You can start with Jaqua's in Findlay, OH at http://www.jaquas.com/ and maybe Joel Etchen Guns in PA at http://joeletchenguns.com/ Both are well known in the competitive shotgun world--we did a fair amount of business with Jaqua's even out here, and Joel's Dad Rudy was famous throughout the country, with Joel carrying on from him--so perhaps they can get you pointed toward a good smith.

Best of luck!

Rick C

 

[hedrok]

Thanks for the input, Rick. I've been intending to head over to Jaquas for a while now. It sounds like I know what I'll be doing today or tomorrow.