The Shooter’s Companion

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Ruger
Red Label

An over-and-under for game and clays, in original and redesigned forms

Red Label Over & Under Shotgun · USRuger Red Label All-Weather · UK

Drawing of a Ruger Red Label from the right: two stacked barrels with a ventilated rib and solid side fillers, a stainless receiver, blued barrels and top lever, a chequered walnut pistol-grip stock, a wooden fore-end, a recoil pad and a single trigger.
Drawing: 12-bore standard, right side

he Ruger Red Label is an with a mechanical and a top-mounted safety that also selects the first barrel.1, 2, 3 Ruger made it in upland, Sporting Clays and All-Weather versions.1, 4, 5 The guns in Ruger’s earlier manual have a stainless receiver, blued barrels and a blued .6

On the original gun, the barrels pivot on that are integral with the receiver and sit close to the lower barrel’s centreline.7 A wedge-shaped locking bolt engages two rear barrel lugs, and a square lower lug adds support.7 The trigger fires the second shot whether or not the gun has recoiled.2 The redesigned gun has a stainless and a black Pachmayr pad, and lacks the original side ribs and the projecting square lower lug.8

Specifications

20-bore · game

HingeIntegral high in the receiver7, 2, 3, 9, 8
LockingOriginal: wedge-shaped bolt engages two rear barrel lugs; square lower lug adds support7, 2, 3, 9, 8
LockworkMechanical system; the second shot does not depend on recoil7, 2, 3, 9, 8
TriggerTop-mounted safety pivots sideways to select the first barrel7, 2, 3, 9, 8
Ejectors7, 2, 3, 9, 8
Introduced197710, 11, 12, 13, 14
Bore20-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels28 in
ChokesTop Modified; bottom Improved Cylinder; fixed
Weight3.261 kg (7 lb 3 oz; measured, 28 in)

15, 16, 17 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inRib, mmFore-endGradeChoke systemYearsWeightMarketsStockFinish
Standard1, 18, 6, 19, 2012-bore76 mm (3 in)StandardremovableUSpistol gripStainless steel action
Standard1, 18, 6, 19, 2020-bore76 mm (3 in)StandardremovableUSpistol gripStainless steel action
Standard1, 18, 6, 19, 2028-bore70 mm (2¾ in)StandardremovableUSStainless steel action
28-bore test21, 22, 23, 24, 2528-bore2828-bore testremovable; 5 tubes2.835 kg (6 lb 4 oz; measured, 28 in)Other
All-Weather test26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 3112-bore76 mm (3 in)26All-Weather testremovable; 5 tubes3.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; measured, 26 in)OtherBrushed matte stainless steel action
All-Weather KRLP 1227SG32, 33, 34, 35, 3612-bore76 mm (3 in)288All-Weather KRLP 1227SGremovable3.629 kg (8 lb 0 oz; measured, 28 in)UK fore-endMatte stainless action
Redesigned test gun37, 8, 38, 3912-bore76 mm (3 in)28Redesigned test gun3.572 kg (7 lb 14 oz; measured, 28 in)USStainless steel action
Game
Game15, 16, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)281980 exampleTop Modified; bottom Improved Cylinder; fixed19803.261 kg (7 lb 3 oz; measured, 28 in)Other361.95 mm pullBlued action
Game4, 4020-bore26, 28UplandBriley; removable; 5 tubesOtherpistol grip
Game4, 4020-bore26UplandBriley; removable; 5 tubesOtherstraight grip
Game4, 4028-bore26, 28UplandBriley; removable; 5 tubesOtherpistol grip
Game4, 4028-bore26UplandBriley; removable; 5 tubesOtherstraight grip
Game41, 42, 43, 44, 1, 4512-bore76 mm (3 in)288.382Woodside testBriley; removable; 5 tubes3.402 kg (7 lb 8 oz; measured, 28 in)US
Game46, 5, 4712-boreAll-Weather Realtree Hardwoods HD2005USRealtree Hardwoods HD camouflage action
Game39, 48, 49, 38, 50, 5112-bore76 mm (3 in)26, 28, 30RedesignedBriley; removable; 5 tubes2013USpistol grip; 368.3 mm pullStainless steel action
Game10, 1720-bore1977
Wildfowl
Wildfowl52, 5312-boreTarget Grey All-Weather2002USNon-glare matte action
Sporting
Sporting1, 19, 54, 712-bore76 mm (3 in)30Sporting ClaysremovableUS
Sporting5412-boreSporting Clays introduction1992

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The top safety is marked S for Safe, T for top barrel first and B for bottom barrel first.55, 3 Newer stainless tubes have their constriction stamped on the side; older tubes are shorter, blued and identified by slots.56 Ruger’s serial tables give the approximate first number shipped each year, but Ruger does not always make guns in serial-number order, and some are stored before shipping.57 For an individual gun, Ruger offers a Letter of Authenticity that confirms its details.57 Ruger described the redesigned gun as 100% American-made and placed its production in Newport, New Hampshire.58, 59

WhereMarkings
Safety and selector on top of receiverS for Safe, T for top barrel first, B for bottom barrel first55, 3
Side of newer stainless Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder or 56
Left side of the barrel breech on a 1980 20-, seen with the gun open3-inch mark16
Base plate of the UK All-Weather test gunSturm Ruger60

Ruger offers a Letter of Authenticity confirming the details of an individual gun.57 Contact the maker

Before you buy

  1. Identify the tubes before buying replacements: the longer stainless easy-open tubes do not interchange with the older, shorter blued tubes.56
  2. Check whether fixed- barrels have been converted to take tubes: Ruger warns that the conversion can weaken them.61
  3. Check that the safety selector holds its positions: Ruger says a selector that moves too easily or does not stay firmly in place needs repair.62
  4. Inspect where the meets the receiver, and the polished and ejector surfaces: Ruger specifies a stainless-steel lubricant for the first and a light film of oil for the second.63, 9
  5. Check the fit of wood to metal on Woodside and redesigned guns: magazine tests of both found gaps.64, 65
  6. Ask whether Ruger can still service the gun: it lists 400- and 410-prefix Red Labels and Woodside guns among firearms for which no parts or service are available.66

History

Ruger launched the original Red Label in 1977 and added the 12- Sporting Clays configuration in 1992.10, 54 The Woodside, with wooden panels fitted into cutouts in the receiver, appeared for the 1995 model year.67, 1 In 2011 Ruger paused production of the Red Label, and on 24 October 2013 it announced the redesigned 12-.11, 12, 39 At its annual meeting in May 2015, Ruger confirmed that it had retired the redesigned gun.13, 14

Original Red Label

1977–2011. Original form, including , Woodside and All-Weather configurations.10, 11, 1

Redesigned Red Label

. Stainless and Pachmayr pad; no side ribs or projecting square lower lug.12, 8, 13, 14

DateChangeObservable feature
1977Ruger launches the original Red Label.10Original Red Label designation.
1992Ruger adds the 12- configuration.54, 1, 730-inch barrels, no barrel spacer and two gold beads.
2002Ruger introduces the Target Grey All-Weather.52, 53Non-glare matte finish and synthetic polymer .
2005Ruger introduces Realtree Hardwoods HD on the All-Weather.46, 47Camouflage coats the metal, polymer and .
2013Ruger relaunches the redesigned 12-.12, 39, 48Stainless and Pachmayr pad.

Sources

  1. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, names-and-configurations. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  2. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, mechanical-trigger-and-selector. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  3. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, safety-location. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  4. Ruger Red Label gauge and stock configurations, barrels-and-stock-options. Gun Dog, 2010-09-23. magazine · Archive
  5. All-Weather Red Label Realtree camouflage announcement, name-gauge-and-use. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2005-11-02. maker website · Archive
  6. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, metal-finishes. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  7. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, barrel-and-locking-features. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  8. Hardware: Ruger Red Label, visible-redesign. American Hunter, 2014-07-29. magazine · Archive
  9. Ruger Red Label instruction manual, revision OU2/11-13 R1, cleaning. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. manual · Archive
  10. Ruger Announces the Return of an American Legend: The Ruger Red Label III, original-launch. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2025. maker website · Archive
  11. Redesigned Red Label launch and specifications, 2011-hiatus. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. maker website · Archive
  12. Redesigned Red Label launch and specifications, date. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. maker website · Archive
  13. Ruger annual meeting 2015: Red Label retirement, retirement. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2015. maker website · Archive
  14. Ruger annual meeting 2015: Red Label retirement, annual-meeting-date. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2015. maker website · Archive
  15. Ruger Red Label 20-Gauge Over-Under Shotgun, example-specification. Shooting Times, 2022-06-23. magazine · Archive
  16. Ruger Red Label 20-Gauge Over-Under Shotgun, documented-markings. Shooting Times, 2022-06-23. magazine · Archive
  17. Ruger Red Label 20-Gauge Over-Under Shotgun, early-configuration. Shooting Times, 2022-06-23. magazine · Archive
  18. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, wood-and-metal. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  19. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, chambers. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  20. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, revision. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  21. Ruger Red Label 28-GA Dope Bag test, gauge-barrel-and-weight. American Rifleman, 1995-09. magazine · Archive
  22. Ruger Red Label 28-GA Dope Bag test, barrel-options. American Rifleman, 1995-09. magazine · Archive
  23. Ruger Red Label 28-GA Dope Bag test, pistol-grip-option. American Rifleman, 1995-09. magazine · Archive
  24. Ruger Red Label 28-GA Dope Bag test, choke-set. American Rifleman, 1995-09. magazine · Archive
  25. Ruger Red Label 28-GA Dope Bag test, stock. American Rifleman, 1995-09. magazine · Archive
  26. Ruger All-Weather Red Label Dope Bag test, materials. American Rifleman, 2000-01. magazine · Archive
  27. Ruger All-Weather Red Label Dope Bag test, gauge-chamber. American Rifleman, 2000-01. magazine · Archive
  28. Ruger All-Weather Red Label Dope Bag test, barrels. American Rifleman, 2000-01. magazine · Archive
  29. Ruger All-Weather Red Label Dope Bag test, weight. American Rifleman, 2000-01. magazine · Archive
  30. Ruger All-Weather Red Label Dope Bag test, receiver-finish. American Rifleman, 2000-01. magazine · Archive
  31. Ruger All-Weather Red Label Dope Bag test, choke-set. American Rifleman, 2000-01. magazine · Archive
  32. Ruger Red Label All-Weather: UK Gun Mart test, uk-name-and-configuration. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  33. Ruger Red Label All-Weather: UK Gun Mart test, measured-weight. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  34. Ruger Red Label All-Weather: UK Gun Mart test, rib-and-fore-end. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  35. Ruger Red Label All-Weather: UK Gun Mart test, date. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  36. Ruger Red Label All-Weather: UK Gun Mart test, uk-contact. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  37. Hardware: Ruger Red Label, test-weight. American Hunter, 2014-07-29. magazine · Archive
  38. Ruger Red Label instruction manual, revision OU2/11-13 R1, chambers. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. manual · Archive
  39. Redesigned Red Label launch and specifications, 12-gauge-and-recoil-pad. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. maker website · Archive
  40. Ruger Red Label gauge and stock configurations, gauge-and-chokes. Gun Dog, 2010-09-23. magazine · Archive
  41. Ruger Red Label Woodside Dope Bag test, gauge-chambers-barrels. American Rifleman, 1996-07. magazine · Archive
  42. Ruger Red Label Woodside Dope Bag test, test-weight. American Rifleman, 1996-07. magazine · Archive
  43. Ruger Red Label Woodside Dope Bag test, choke-set. American Rifleman, 1996-07. magazine · Archive
  44. Ruger Red Label Woodside Dope Bag test, stocks. American Rifleman, 1996-07. magazine · Archive
  45. Ruger Red Label Woodside Dope Bag test, rib-width. American Rifleman, 1996-07. magazine · Archive
  46. All-Weather Red Label Realtree camouflage announcement, finish. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2005-11-02. maker website · Archive
  47. All-Weather Red Label Realtree camouflage announcement, date. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2005-11-02. maker website · Archive
  48. Redesigned Red Label launch and specifications, stock-barrels-lever-and-price. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. maker website · Archive
  49. Redesigned Red Label launch and specifications, choke-set. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. maker website · Archive
  50. Ruger Red Label instruction manual, revision OU2/11-13 R1, stock-and-finish. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. manual · Archive
  51. Ruger Red Label instruction manual, revision OU2/11-13 R1, metal-finish. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. manual · Archive
  52. Ruger annual report 2002: Target Grey All-Weather and Gold Label, target-grey. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2002. maker website · Archive
  53. Ruger annual report 2002: Target Grey All-Weather and Gold Label, gauge. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2002. maker website · Archive
  54. Red Label history: Sporting Clays and receiver construction, sporting-clays-introduction. American Rifleman, 2016-11-03. magazine · Archive
  55. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, safety-marks. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  56. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, choke-marks-and-compatibility. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  57. Ruger revived 12-gauge Red Label serial history, dating-caveat-and-authenticity-letters. Sturm, Ruger & Company. maker website · Archive
  58. Redesigned Red Label launch and specifications, origin-wording. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2013. maker website · Archive
  59. Ruger fourth-quarter 2013 earnings call: Newport shotgun production, newport-production. Sturm, Ruger & Company, 2014. maker website · Archive
  60. Ruger Red Label All-Weather: UK Gun Mart test, markings. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  61. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, fixed-choke-warning. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  62. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, safety-inspection. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  63. Ruger Over & Under Shotguns instruction manual, revision OU1 & OU3/2-09 R7, lubrication. Sturm, Ruger & Company. manual · Archive
  64. Ruger Red Label Woodside Dope Bag test, cosmetic-inspection. American Rifleman, 1996-07. magazine · Archive
  65. Hardware: Ruger Red Label, wood-fit. American Hunter, 2014-07-29. magazine · Archive
  66. Ruger current parts and service policy, unsupported-shotguns. Sturm, Ruger & Company. maker website · Archive
  67. Ruger Red Label Woodside Dope Bag test, production-launch. American Rifleman, 1996-07. magazine · Archive

Revised