Ruger Red Lable

[Tack Session]

I'm by no means an expert on Trap but I know plenty of people who've been shooting the old Red Label, CZ Red Heads, and simple pump shotguns for years on the trap range. Only thing I do know is OUs balance best. To that matter I did handle a new Red Label at Faith in Temecula and it felt wonderfully balanced (as good as any Beretta or Citori). Aesthetically it was very nice and clean. Hey for $1000 if you're in the market for a new OU you can either get a Turkish made gun or the Red Label. That is really the choices out there. The higher end bunch start at $2k...

[midlife]

Think it's a cz redhead. Trap is addicting. You'd be better off dropping 1000 on a high quality pump like a wing master.

[midlife]

A friend shoots a cz. Reasonable price for decent gun.

[Revoman]

Thanks Revoman. Any input is appreciated.

Not a problem, I hope that I have enlightened the other boys somewhat too.

[Legasat]

There were some problems with the old ones. Ruger just reissued these with some design changes. Time will tell whether or not they are better.

Jeff Quinn seemed to like them new ones: GunBlast Review

[hardlyworking]

From what I've read, and the SoCal Skeet clinic (once) I took... I think the following statement is true:

It does not matter how much, or little, you spend on your shotgun if it does not fit you, you are going to be frustrated because your eye is the rear sight.

If the comb is too low and you are staring at the tang-safety when you mount the gun...

That's why everybody says buy a shotgun (any shotgun) from a reputable vendor that can help you buy one that fits YOU. Ruger or otherwise.

[Hank15]

Im not sure if the swing of a shotgun for someone as inexperienced as I am at shooting clay would warrant almost twice the money. Thanks though if I can I'll try and handle a few different guns before buying. I am mainly worried about if the gun will hold up. I hate to buy cheap buy twice.

Even if the Ruger doesn't hold up Ruger will fix it. But the best warranty is the one you don't have to use...so I am going to hold my breath until someone checks in with a 40,000 round range report of the Red Label.

As you shoot more often you'll notice how little things like balance and swing add up to make a substantial difference towards the end of your 100 shot sessions. I was 100% content with my 870 trap until I started shooting 4 rounds of trap in a row. By the 76th to 100th shot, all the minor flaws snowballed into 1 big flaw.

Is a red lable worth the money? I'm looking for a trap gun. I've always wanted an over under shotgun. It seems most of them are pushing the 2000 dollar mark except for the red lables and mossbergs. I'd rather not dump a ton of money into a shotgun but I do like the over unders. A co worker said not to waste money on the ruger and get either a beretta or browning.

I am not sure if this has been mentioned, but if you look in the used market you can find a better trap gun for about the same price as the Red Label.

Beretta Silver Pigeons can be had for a little more than the Red Label if you look carefully. BT99s can be had for about the same price range, but they only have 1 shot: http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx...20and%20(BT-99)

[Zorgnot]

Thanks Revoman. Any input is appreciated.

Sent from my GS4

[Revoman]

Trying to keep it simple for a simple question, but since you asked.

I guess that more detail would be enlightening....I don't have a problem sharing.

I initially bought a Ruger because they are a made in USA product and I love buying USA product. Let me also state that there is nothing wrong with a Ruger shotgun IF you plan on putting an average lifetime of rounds through it for hunting and clays a few times a year. They will most likely last your lifetime....now that IS an opinion.

The reason that the one Red Label that I now hunt with (I sold the other) has been put to pasture as a clays gun is that it absolutely rattles from every conceivable crook, cranny and hinge. It is loose everywhere. One ejector is extremely loose and should probably go back for repair. Most shotguns have at least a little resistance when opening, this has zero, it is very loose. Even the rib is loose and rattles. A little repair here and there might help it last longer as a field shotgun, but not a clays gun. There is simply too much punishment shooting clays as a constant diet.

Will it continue to shoot for some time, most likely in limited use such as hunting. That's why it is now not a clays gun. It was used for trap for only a few seasons and while there were about 15K down the tubes, that was enough for me to realize that it would not hold up to constant use as a clays shotgun.

It is not opinion, it is fact. When compared to the Beretta that was bought specifically for clays, there is no comparison. The Beretta has at least 25K on it and while it did break a firing pin, it is still stiff enough to use force to open and has zero rattles. You can get more expensive than a Beretta for more longevity, but for my purposes, it holds up well. Better than the Red Label did at least.

I agree, Ruger does make some of the most reliable firearms, (opinion) but then why did they discontinue making shotguns in the early 2000's? Sales or problems? I did have a specific issue with the one that I kept and after three trips to the factory for the same issue, it finally came back fixed. Ruger stands behind their products, I never said they didn't and that is not the point here.

They have improved their design from my understanding. I have not tried a new Red Label, so I don't know if they are improved or not. That remains to asked here on the Forum I suppose....after 30 or 40K down the tubes from someone with that new experience.

The OP asked a question and since I have experience with two of these shotguns, I decided to offer my experience. The OP also didn't ask for great detail only "Thoughts?" and that's what I gave in my initial response. Never saying not to buy one, only stating that they are "decent" if you are planning on hunting with them.

[Zorgnot]

Im not sure if the swing of a shotgun for someone as inexperienced as I am at shooting clay would warrant almost twice the money. Thanks though if I can I'll try and handle a few different guns before buying. I am mainly worried about if the gun will hold up. I hate to buy cheap buy twice.

Sent from my GS4

[actium31]

Plus one here
Ruger makes some of the most reliable and dependable fire arms

I'm preparing to be enlightened by stories of failing quality control, chi-com made MIM parts or insider information about design flaws in general... We'll see what he says to substantiate his claim ;-)

[Hank15]

I think it's more fair to say we don't know if it will hold up, since many of the avid clay sports shooters don't usually use the Ruger throughout their career. I was told it was something about the balance.

Try swinging or test firing a Red Label next to Browning and Berettas and see which of them balances and swings the best. If you like the Ruger the best go ahead and get it, especially since Ruger will back up their product.

[mike51392]

"The Ruger will not hold up." That's a fairly broad statement... Given the lack of information you provide, I'm going to assume it's your personal opinion, lacking any real facts.

Or maybe you have some vital information about the red label you've been holding onto. By all means, please share! I'm sure the op is as intrigued as I am...

Plus one here
Ruger makes some of the most reliable and dependable fire arms

[actium31]

The Red Label is a decent shotgun. I have had two of them in the past and hang onto the remaining one to use a 'hunting shotgun'.

If you plan on shooting copious amounts of clays, the Ruger will not hold up. Beretta and Browning among others high end shotguns will.

If you're buying as a hunting shotgun with minor clay games use, then the Red Label should be sufficient.

Look at it this way; A hunting shotgun may see 5K rounds in it's entire life. A clays gun starts at 5K a year and goes up from there.

"The Ruger will not hold up." That's a fairly broad statement... Given the lack of information you provide, I'm going to assume it's your personal opinion, lacking any real facts.

Or maybe you have some vital information about the red label you've been holding onto. By all means, please share! I'm sure the op is as intrigued as I am...

[Zorgnot]

Well I don't hunt. But I also won't be anywhere 5000 rounds a year. Maybe if I really fall in love with clays. But probably not off the bat. Thank you for your comment.

Sent from my GS4