1. Ruger Red Label History

Madhubala episode 1. Ruger does not necessarily produce firearms in serial number order. There are occasions when blocks of serial numbers have been manufactured out of sequence, sometimes years later. Also, within a model family the same serial number prefix may be used to produce a variety of different models, all in the same block of serial numbers.

Ruger’s New Redesigned Over/Under 12-Gauge Shotgun Is A Game Getter. By Holt Bodinson In a brief note in the 1973 Annual Report, Bill Ruger, Sr.

Reported work had begun on an O/U shotgun and a limited number would be available for sale in 1974. The report was a bit optimistic, and for the next four years, rumors flew around the shooting world as to what the new O/U would look like and what its price might be.

In 1977, we got our first look. Spread across the cover of the 1978 Gun Digest were three images of a slim, trim, Ruger Red Label, engraved with gold inlays by Alvin White with a serial number of 81.

It was a marketing ploy Ruger and his close, tweedy friend and editor, John T. Amber, would play on the shooting public a number of times. Picture the first public view of a new Ruger model on the cover of Gun Digest, but report, “We don’t have any further details,” thus whetting the shooting public’s appetite until it was roaring at a fever pitch when the actual product release occurred, which typically was a year or more later. By 1978, a few Red Labels had begun to dribble out. We were caught by surprise. In a country dominated by the 12-gauge, the initial field-grade Red Label was a 20-gauge.

Ruger Red Label History

In many respects, it was very European. The low-profile frame was thin-walled and shallow. The standing breech was nicely sculptured. The 26- or 28-inch barrels rode on high-mounted, bifurcated lumps rather than a hinge pin. Locking bolts on each side of the standing breech engaged matching lugs placed at 3 and 9 o’clock positions at the lower barrel. Ejectors were automatic. The chokes were fixed and bored IC/IM, F/M or S/S.

The sliding tang safety was also the barrel selector, and the single trigger was mechanical, not requiring recoil for a reset. The quality of the walnut used in the early years of production was outstanding with excellent figure and color, but the butt was finished off with an unyielding, hard, red, rubber pad. Checkering was hand-cut and crisp. The free-floating, ventilated rib was functional, and the side ribs between the barrels could be unscrewed to increase airflow between the upper and lower barrels. Hold your hats!

Four hundred eighty bucks — of course those were long gone, 1978 dollars. At the same time, the Beretta S55B was priced at $545; the Browning Citori at $462; the Remington 3200 at $750; the SKB at $480 and the Winchester 101 at $580. It was a competitive O/U field, but the Ruger name carries with it definite panache and a faithful following. Shooters who already owned Ruger pistols and revolvers, bolt-action and single-shot rifles and the ubiquitous 10/22’s were drawn to Ruger’s American-made shotgun like flies to honey. The new Red Label has a 3-inch chamber, offering maximum scattergun versatility.

As in the original Red Label, the sliding safety also serves as the barrel selector switch. The Ruger is fitted with a single-selective trigger and nicely checkered pistol grip. To understand the gun, you had to understand Bill Ruger, Sr.’s concept of producing high-quality and affordable guns by modern production processes. He observed, “Provided good looks, strong components and sensible design features are employed, there is always room to make a few guns profitably.

I felt that Americans deserved a good over-and-under shotgun made by Americans We put the money into machinery rather than hand labor Perhaps you could say that, except for engraving, gold inlaying and elegant finish, using machines you can easily surpass the work of the finest person in terms of true mechanical movement, the precision of the apparatus. You have to remember—fine watches are not made by files.” Over the next 32 years of production, the Red Label was offered in a variety of styles and gauges. The 12-gauge was introduced in 1980 and a 28-gauge in 1985. A stainless steel receiver in 12-gauge was added to the line in 1985. Introduced in 1988, screw-in chokes became standard on all models in 1991. A straight, English-style grip was offered as an option in 1992 as the “English Field” model.

There were field grades, sporting clays models, engraved models and even an elegant “Woodside” model featuring walnut sideplates. In 1995, all models were given Ruger’s “EZ-opening” action with rebounding hammers. In 2011, the Red Label models, then selling for approximately $1,956, was returned to the drawing board to be redesigned for better handling and modern production methods. Bill Ruger Sr.’s comments in the 1978 Annual Report proved prophetic: “As it happened, our profits have not been significant, but we are now rethinking the entire manufacturing concept of the Red Label, and hope to better the profit picture without changing the gun.” Bill Sr.’s comment was echoed in 2013 by Ruger President and CEO, Mike Fifer, who observed, “We knew we could employ newer technology, improve the design and deliver a better performing Red Label.” They’ve done it while knocking $550 off the old price.