Ruger Red Label KRL-2008 20 GA O/U Double Shotgun, MFD 1989 Blued Stainless

SOLD FOR: $1876

LSB#: 220322RF003

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: Red Label (KRL-2008)

Serial Number: 400-45057

Year of Manufacture: 1989

Caliber: 20, chambered for 3” Shells

Action Type: Top Lever, Break Action Over/Under Shotgun with Ejectors

Markings: The top receiver tang is marked with the serial number, “400-45057”. The underside of the receiver is marked “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A. / —U.S.A—”. The left side barrel flat is marked with “20 GA. 3” CHAMBERS” and a proof mark. The right side of the barrel flat is marked “FULL / MOD”. The mono block is serial matching, hand-scribed “45057”. The underside of the forend wood and the grip cap are marked with an inset Ruger trademark medallion. The buttpad is marked with a Ruger trademark logo.

Barrel Length: 28” with Vented Barrel Rib

Choke: Full over Modified; both are fixed.

Sights/Optics: There is a beaded brass blade fixed to the front of the barrel rib. The top of the rib is serrated to reduce glare.

Weight: 7lb 8oz

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece wood with checkered straight pistol-grip and forend, fluted straight comb, and a textured orange rubber buttpad with black spacer. An area of the checkering on the right side of the grip is lightly marred, and the forend wood has scattered minor nicks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The drop at comb is 1 5/8”, the drop at heel is 2 3/8”. The cast is off. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad has a bit of staining wear. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued and Stainless

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: Both bores are bright and neither have erosion.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. VEry minor nicks dot the length of the barrel assembly on either side. A few light nicks can be seen on the underside of the receiver. All markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-to-Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock up is tight with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This Red Label shotgun includes its serial-matching Ruger factory cardboard box and the manual.

Our Assessment: Over/Under shotguns were a distinct improvement of traditional side by side double guns, especially in terms of overall accuracy. At the time Ruger was bringing their Red Label to market, over/under double guns were effectively luxury items, out of reach of the average American consumer. Bill Ruger proceeded to do what Bill Ruger always did: saw the need of the market and filled it, investing serious time and money and doing it all in-house. Ruger filled the need not just with a comparable product, but one that defied expectations and created real value for the buyer. At the time of their release Red Label shotguns cost $480.00—$2,132.24 in 2021 and $3,478.12 as of early 2022, a dreadful reminder of just how much value the US dollar has lost recently—and put in the hands of Joe Average a rather fine over/under double gun. A tag attached to the guard states that Red Label shotguns are “[M]anufactured by skilled American workmen in the world’s best-equipped firearms factory, a facility that exemplifies American precision manufacture at its best,” This hardly a boast, as in-hand the Red Label a sight to behold, possessed of understated beauty, with simple lines, and as much evidence of its engineering absent as possible—note that there are no visible screws. Interestingly, what gave rise to the Red Label shotgun is ultimately what would lead to its fall: stiff competition. Only this time the competition came from a bevy of manufacturers in multiple countries, and it’s common wisdom that a war cannot be won on two fronts, let alone many. After a brief return in 2013 that saw Ruger attempt to simplify the design and manufacturing process, the Red Label was quietly removed from the company’s roster. The example on offer here, the KRL-2008, was introduced in the late 1980s and was sold throughout the 90s. It is in overall Fine-to-Excellent condition with only very minor wear. Good luck and happy bidding!

Ruger Red Label KRL-2008 20 GA O/U Double Shotgun, MFD 1989 Blued Stainless
Ruger Red Label KRL-2008 20 GA O/U Double Shotgun, MFD 1989 Blued Stainless