Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:38 pm

Did a 12 ga , 26 inch barrel, red label o/u, made in 1990 come with replaceable chokes or was it a fixed choke gun? Or did they offer both types? Thanks for your help

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 4:29 pm

IIRC by 1990 all Red Label shotguns came with interchangeable chokes. MY 1989 cataloge dosen't show any fixed choke models available.
As far as specific shotguns, if you open the shotgun and look on the side of the monoblock, you will see:
o on shotguns that left the factory as fixed choke...an identifier for what the barrels are choked.
o on shotguns that left the factory as interchangeable choke...no identifier on the monoblock.
Ted

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:09 pm

Thanks Ted for the info. It is what I needed. John

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:14 pm

If it has a stainless receiver, it has choke tubes. Only blued receiver guns had fixed chokes (not all blued guns were fixed though).

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:31 am

Thanks for the help men. I guess I bought one with with the factory removable chokes. That's good. Most people research before they buy but the impulse buy got me this time and it turned out good. John

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:50 am

There are stainless receiver 12 gauges that do not have choke tubes. For example, the several 2 digit red labels I have had were fixed chokes. I think there were several years of production of stainless receiver 12 gauge Red Labels with out choke tubes.

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Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:55 am

Maybe a few stainless RLs that didn't have choke tubes, but very darned few and they would be '86/'87 production.

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:25 pm

IIRC, interchangable choke tubes started with serial number 410-xxxx. If the serial number begins with 410- it will use the short (Browning Invector style) choke tubes. 411-up uses the longer (Invector Plus) tubes.

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:56 pm

Yes, this gun is a 410- serial # with the shorter (1 and 1/2 inch) tubes.

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 1:06 pm

I have a 12 ga SS Red Label No choke tubes........S/N 410-09XXX, does that mean it is rare???????

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:15 pm

Nearly all of the 12 gauge Red labels have stainless receivers. The only chrome moly receiver 12 gauge Red Labels made were the earliest 410- prefix guns....reportedly totalling 419 guns in addition to the 1,000 chrome moly receiver Ducks Unlimited 12 gauge Red Labels with nickle finish receiver.
The highest chrome moly recever 12 gauge known is 410-03144.
After that...all stainless...over 65,000 of them.
Ruger did make a few blue receiver 12 gauge Red Labels for Orvis, but quantities were very limited...probably not more than 200 each of the 26' and the 28' models. These were the first Red Label Shotguns to have any choke tubes factory installed by the factory (Ruger also built some 20 Gauge blue receiver Red labels for Orvis at the same time).
One other 410- prefix Red Label is known with choke tubes...a special presentation gun to one of the directors on Ruger's board.
Choke Tubes did not become standard on the 12 gauge Red Label shotgun until the 411- prefix.
Chet15

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:20 pm

?????
I sold it a little over a year ago when I bought my SKB, but my Red Label was 410-43499, 28' barrels, had a red butt pad (can't honestly call it a recoil pad), a stainless receiver, and the early style short, blue choke tubes. One of my shooting pals has a 410 prefix just like my old one, also with the short choke tubes.

Post subject:Today's repair options for the early Ruger Red Labels?

Hi Fellas,
This has probably been covered before, but with Ruger no longer servicing their earlier Red Label shotguns, has there been any talented gunsmith(s) with access to OEM Ruger factory parts rising to the surface and making a name for themselves doing quality repairs?
With appreciation for any leads..........
Rob Harris

Post subject:Re: Today's repair options for the early Ruger Red Labels?

If you don't get a useful answer here (which would surprise me), try asking on www.doublegunshop.com/BBS. Some Ruger O/U and SxS haters there but plenty of helpful guys, too.

Post subject:Re: Today's repair options for the early Ruger Red Labels?

Are you saying they will repair later Red Labels but not earlier ones.
Is there a serial number or date of manufacture cutoff separating the two?

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Post subject:Re: Today's repair options for the early Ruger Red Labels?

'Thanks' for providing the link, Mike. It is worth a try even if many there don't think they're worth their bother. The one I have is a second year production 20 ga. with the blued receiver, still fully functional, but nothing lasts forever other than a bad reputation.
Sugar River - I was told at one time that the factory was not repairing the earlier guns, but I've no knowledge if it includes all 'Red Labels' at this point. A call to the factory would likely clear it up, but am primarily looking for qualified 'smiths' with access to Ruger parts, should I need one.
All Best,
Rob

Post subject:Re: Today's repair options for the early Ruger Red Labels?

Found this on Ruger's website. Shotguns no longer serviced. Red Label Shotguns (serial # beginning with '400-' or '410-'). Woodside shotguns and Gold Label shotguns. Hope this helps.

Post subject:Re: Today's repair options for the early Ruger Red Labels?

If you've got deep pockets, I imagine Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. would do it for you. I have read that they will service just about any double under the sun.
https://connecticutshotgun.co

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