It has been over a decade since we saw new Red Labels on the rack, and now it’s back, but not as a simple relaunch of the old design. The original Red Label was launched in ’77 and earned a spot in gun racks across the country as a reliable, working-class over/under. But this new iteration, the Red Label III, isn’t exactly the budget-friendly scattergun your grandpa kept behind the seat of his truck. Ruger is taking a swing at the premium market with it.
Ruger and CSMC
To build the premium Red Label III, Ruger teamed up with the Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company (CSMC). If you know high-end American doubles, you know that name carries weight. We are talking about a gun with a proper hand-rubbed oil walnut stock, precision-machined receivers, and a level of fit and finish that honors the legacy while trying to outclass it.
- Gauge: 20-gauge
- Barrels: Choice of 28″ or 30″ with a smooth-plated bore
- Stock: American Walnut with a hand-rubbed oil finish and classic checkering
- Action: Stainless steel receiver, inertia-operated single trigger
- Chokes: Ships with 5 Tru-Choke tubes (Skeet through Full)
- MSRP: $3,299
Price and Competition
At nearly $3,300, Ruger is walking straight into the ring with heavyweights like the Browning Citori and Beretta Silver Pigeon. That is a tough neighborhood to move into.
We see the skepticism out there. Ruger has always been the king of reliability and value. Asking shooters to drop three grand on a Ruger shotgun requires a shift in perception. Established competition shooters might hesitate to leave their Italian or Japanese heritage brands for a domestic newcomer at the same price point.
However, there is a crowd out there (maybe you are part of it) that has been begging for a quality, American-made double. You didn’t want a cheap import stamped with a Ruger logo; you wanted the real deal. Well, this is it. But keeping it domestic and partnering with a premium maker like CSMC costs money.
Why No 12 Gauge?
The reason why there’s no Red Label 12ga shotgun models is likely that Ruger is using a specific frame by CSMC (the brand generally tends to prioritize 20ga over 12ga). With the growing popularity of the 20ga, launching the Red Label III in 20ga makes sense – it’s a beautifully balanced, lightweight field gun.
If the street price settles closer to 80% of MSRP, this could be the American-made double we’ve been waiting for.
Leave a Reply