Red Label Decision (help)

[kmeyer]

So it appears that Ruger has decided to discontinue the Red Label shotgun. It's no longer on their site and others on multiple websites have stated Ruger reps have confirmed this. I have a collection of Ruger revolvers, pistols and rifles that I love and I just started shopping the last few days to add a Red Label.

I'm trying now to decide if I should pick one up or not now? On one hand, there's an awful lot of people who have posted issues with theirs and Ruger has admitted to having some issues with them. Of course what we don't know is the real failure rate. I assume most of them are fine as most people that buy things and are pleased, never post about it.

However, if they truly are dropping it permanently, now may be the time to grab one before they are gone. I assume Ruger will continue to support them, but eventually will parts be tough to get?

So I'm curious what thoughts some of you fellow Ruger fans share?

 

[Rocdoc]

I love Rugers, was excited when the RL came back, but given the results, I'd buy a CZ if in need of new shotgun.

 

[golferboy426]

buy the original red label, proven and plenty of people have NIB ones for sale

 

[trapperon]

If you have handled one and like them, then by all means I would get one as soon as possible--prices will be going up up up since it is a discontinued item. I would also stick with the original run of earlier red Labels. they seem to be more reliable, and the selection of gauges stock styles and barrel length combinations is far greater than the new one. I hunt regularly with an early fixed choke 20ga and have never had a problem. A great solid shotgun for me so far.

Ron

 

[fracas714]

My new model RL is at Ruger right now getting repaired. I have a 28 ga that I bought in 2004 that has been sent twice to be repaired, it works fine now. The Ruger customer service is great but it's unfortunate these problems were not found at the factory before they were originally sent out. I have a few Ruger rifles with zero problems.

 

[ABNRGR]

I looked at a new Red Label at Cabela's when they were introduced and was unimpressed. Fit and finish was much below their earlier standard. The gun did not balance or swing well. Wood quality was below average. I have several Red Labels, both blued and stainless receivers, in 12 and 20 gauge, with fixed chokes and red pads, and gorgeous wood. These are beautiful guns, great performers in the field, which carry and swing well. When Ruger introduced removable chokes, it made the guns muzzle-heavy, added weight, made the swing choppy and clumsy, at least for me. In my experience, whether a novice or an accomplished wing-shot, one would be exceptionally well-served by a blued 20 gauge Red Label, with 28" tubes choked improved cylinder and modified, for upland game, a shotgun that is totally reliable and a joy to own and use. With a little looking and a little luck, you should be able to find an early example with highly figured wood for around $1,000. Hope this helps.

 

[kmeyer]

Thanks everyone for the input thus far. It is appreciated. I should have been more specific as my questions revolve around the "New Model" specifically. I don't really need a new gun anymore than I've need any of the others I've collected over the years. I've been hunting with a Italian over/under since about 1990 that I def got my money out of and I can always buy a used one. New ones from Ruger, maybe not so much since they are discontinuing them.

golferboy426 - I didn't realize they were NIB ones available from their earlier runs. This I will have to look into. Thanks for that info.

Update -- I called the Ruger support center today and really did not get a good feeling from the employee I spoke to. I sensed a lot of attitude which really surprised me since I've had nothing but awesome experiences with Ruger in the past. They confirmed Ruger will continue to support them moving forward, the rep was not willing to share any other information and was quite short with me about it. I imagine they are reading from a script though and getting tired of endless calls like mine.

I asked if there has been a confirmed manufacturing defect?
If the issue affects all or most new models or was just a small percentage?
Are they still going to make/supply necessary parts to support them? If so, how long?

A pretty unfriendly "We don't know" was the standard answer. I really hope that "Ruger" puts out a release detailing some of these questions for current owners and those still considering a purchase. I was leaning towards buying one until I spoke with the support rep today. Now I have quite a few red flags dancing in my head. Maybe I should just grab that Ruger Alaskan 454 I've been drooling over instead.

Thanks again for everyone's knowledge and input!

 

[sourdough44]

I have an assortment of Ruger firearms. When it comes to O/U shotguns I'll pick others before the Red Label. In that area I've drifted towards the Citori.

 

[smitty_bs]

I have two of the older versions - stainless not blued. One is a 20ga and one is a 12ga - both have 26"bbls. Both have functioned flawlessly and many of pheasants and other upland game have fallen to both guns. The 12ga admittedly is not the smoothest swinging, but the 20ga is a pure joy to carry and shoot with. Very nice. I have compared the 20ga to my hunting buddy's Citori 20ga and the Citori was heavier, which surprised me. Anyway, I think the RL has taken it on the chin long enough. Mine work great and I have no intention of ever giving them up.

 

[oyeme]

Thanks everyone for the input thus far. It is appreciated. I should have been more specific as my questions revolve around the "New Model" specifically. I don't really need a new gun anymore than I've need any of the others I've collected over the years. I've been hunting with a Italian over/under since about 1990 that I def got my money out of and I can always buy a used one. New ones from Ruger, maybe not so much since they are discontinuing them.

golferboy426 - I didn't realize they were NIB ones available from their earlier runs. This I will have to look into. Thanks for that info.

Update -- I called the Ruger support center today and really did not get a good feeling from the employee I spoke to. I sensed a lot of attitude which really surprised me since I've had nothing but awesome experiences with Ruger in the past. They confirmed Ruger will continue to support them moving forward, the rep was not willing to share any other information and was quite short with me about it. I imagine they are reading from a script though and getting tired of endless calls like mine.

I asked if there has been a confirmed manufacturing defect?
If the issue affects all or most new models or was just a small percentage?
Are they still going to make/supply necessary parts to support them? If so, how long?

A pretty unfriendly "We don't know" was the standard answer. I really hope that "Ruger" puts out a release detailing some of these questions for current owners and those still considering a purchase. I was leaning towards buying one until I spoke with the support rep today. Now I have quite a few red flags dancing in my head. Maybe I should just grab that Ruger Alaskan 454 I've been drooling over instead.

Thanks again for everyone's knowledge and input!

I have one of the new RRL. I have had zero issues with it to date. I shoot almost every weekend and have owned some very expensive O/U. I sold them off but still needed an inexpensive, versatile shotgun to use for various informal clay target games. I looked at several and settled on the new RRL. The new RRL handles much better to me than the older 12 gauge versions that were very muzzle heavy. It is also very mild in the recoil department. There are some still available via the various auction sites. I happen to prefer the 28 inch versions. For an O/U in the $1,100-$1,275 range, I think you could do far worse. I also believe that Ruger will stand behind them just like they have always done with their products.

 

[Heliman]

Ya know, hate to whip a dead horse, but in recent years it has been common to hear folks talking about having to send all manner of Rugers back for repair. Maybe they need to research and test their products better instead of getting them to the market so fast. Just sayin'.....

Dave

 

[Rick Courtright]

Ya know, hate to whip a dead horse, but in recent years it has been common to hear folks talking about having to send all manner of Rugers back for repair. Maybe they need to research and test their products better instead of getting them to the market so fast. Just sayin'.....

Hi,

Dave, when I first went to work for my ol' gunsmith boss, Ruger's "quality control" was a constant bad joke in the shop. That was in 1980. I've been gone for 15 years, the boss has since retired and his son's moved the shop out of state. Yet Ruger's "quality control" remains a bad joke to this day. Just look at the number of "customer service" threads you mentioned... there are way too many of them IMO.

Just one person's opinion, which has been shared with Mike Fifer. Judging by his response, I'd suggest the "We don't know" answers the OP got on the phone probably reflect a lot on the reality of what is Ruger today. That said, methinks an old style, especially if one's available NIB, would be my choice over a new one IF I were in that market.

Rick C

 

[falrifles]

I bought a brand new Ruger Red Label 20 guage / 28 inch barrel made in 2011 right before they stopped production. I did send it back for a simple adjustment to the trigger mechanism. It was only gone two weeks. This was about a month before the 2012 Iowa pheasant opener at the end of October. Fast turnaround considering it was during a peak time of gun repair demand. The gun would simply misfire occasionally. It has never misfired again.

My gun has great balance, figured wood and is a joy to carry afield. I always get nice comments from anyone who has seen it. It kills pheasants efficiently when I do my part.

I was a bit disappointed that they made a new model which undercut the price of my older one. I wondered what it would do to its value. In any case it looks as if it will actually increase in value now. Its hard to make that gun with a profit at the price they were asking. There is a lot of hand work involved in its production. The same is true of the latest discontinued model. Even though they simplified its production.

Ruger has quickly taken care of any issue I've had with my Ruger guns. They have bent over backwards installing higher front sights on my Blackhawk revolvers and turning barrels to correct POI on my older Vaqueros. I was never charged for those adjustments. On two Vaqueros I received new cylinders because some of my chambers were not polished to my satisfaction.

I own several Rugers, as well as my three adult sons. We have several other brand firearms as well. I wish I could say we have been cared for as well by their customer service departments. I have a Buck Mark pistol which spent four months at the Arnold repair facility for misfires before getting it back.

Mike Fifer is available via email for complaints and suggestions. What other CEO does this? He has responded to my emails personally, several times over the years. I can't even tell you the name of any other gun company CEO.

You pay your hard earned money and you make your choice.

Bill
St Louis Mo.