Ruger Red Label 26” 20GA 3” FULL/MOD Over Under O/U Shotgun MFD 1979

SOLD FOR: $1,380.00

LSB#: LSB250802DE025

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: Red Label

Serial Number: 400-07408

Year of Manufacture: 1979 (https://ruger.com/dataProcess/serialHistory/)

Caliber: 20 GA, chambered for 2.75” & 3” Shells

Action Type: Top Lever, Break Action Over/Under Shotgun with Ejectors and mechanical single selective trigger. Auto Reset Safety.   

Barrel Length: 26” Vent ribbed barrel.  

Choke: Fixed Full over Modified.   

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

Stock Configuration and Condition: The furniture is two-piece wood with checkered capped semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and a red rubber butt pad. The forend is checkered thin standard forend. The forend has a few very minor shallow compressions. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt pad. The drop at comb is 1.5” and the drop at heel is 2.25”. The shotgun weighs 7lbs. The stock shows very minor handling with no real notable marks. The forend shows some minor scattered compressions with the most notable being in the checkering on the left side. The stock shows no chips or cracks. The butt pad is soft and shows some minor rub marks. Overall the furniture set is in Very Good+ condition.   

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: Both smooth bores are mirror bright and there is no erosion. They show minor visible lines from use with no visible plastic fouling.  In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 9.75/10.   

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. The barrels and the receiver have some very faint surface level lines. There is also minor operational wear on the inside of the action. The upper tang shows rub wear under the safety. The barrels show some barely visible rub wear from the forend that is concealed when assembled. All the markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good+ 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: None

Our Assessment: The Ruger Red Label is a celebrated over-under shotgun that has earned a reputation for reliability, quality craftsmanship, and accessible pricing since its introduction by Sturm, Ruger & Co. in 1977. Among the various configurations available, this 20-gauge version with 26-inch barrels and fixed FULL over MOD chokes stands out as an ideal choice for upland bird hunting. This particular configuration offers several advantages. The 26-inch barrels provide a good balance between maneuverability and swing, making the shotgun easy to handle in tight shooting environments such as dense cover during hunts. The 20-gauge chambering further enhances its handling by reducing weight and recoil, which makes the shotgun comfortable to shoot, even during extended sessions. The fixed chokes, designed for medium to long shooting, provide a tighter shot spread that is particularly effective in upland bird hunting. In summary, the Ruger Red Label in 20 gauge with 26-inch barrels and fixed chokes is a versatile and reliable shotgun that excels at upland hunting. Its balance of handling, build quality, and shooting performance makes it a valuable addition to any enthusiast’s collection. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.