Some guns don’t just disappear quietly, they leave a hole. For decades, Ruger’s Red Label over/under was one of those shotguns. Hunters loved it. Clay shooters trusted it. And American gun owners respected it because it was unapologetically rugged, well-built, and homegrown.
Ruger Red Label III
Now, Ruger is bringing that legend back with the Ruger Red Label III, and this isn’t a nostalgia play, it’s a statement.
First introduced in 1977, the original Red Label earned its reputation the hard way: miles in the field, thousands of shells downrange, and zero interest in being fragile. The Red Label III carries that same DNA forward, but with a serious upgrade in fit, finish, and craftsmanship.
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To do it right, Ruger partnered with Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company (CSMC). One of the most respected names in fine firearms. The result is a modern sporting over/under that still feels unmistakably Ruger.
Gauge & Barrels
The Red Label III is a 20-gauge, available with 28- or 30-inch barrels, and it’s built to work. A beautifully figured walnut stock with classic checkering and a hand-rubbed oil finish gives it timeless looks, while the inertia-operated single trigger resets on recoil for consistent performance. The automatic tang safety includes a barrel selector, and the precision-engineered barrels are optimized for consistent patterns with both 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells.
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This is a true do-it-all sporting shotgun; equally at home chasing upland birds, breaking clays, or pulling waterfowl duty. Each Red Label III ships in a premium custom case and includes five choke tubes (Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full), so you’re covered no matter what.
Ruger President and CEO Todd Seyfert summed it up best: bringing back the Red Label has been a long-standing request from Ruger’s loyal customer base. By teaming with CSMC, Ruger delivers a shotgun that meets its legendary standards for durability while elevating craftsmanship to properly honor the original.
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The Red Label never needed gimmicks. It needed to come back done right. Ruger delivered.
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