Ruger Red Label
The Ruger Red Label III is the long-awaited return of one of America’s most beloved over/under shotguns, now built to even higher standards by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company (CSMC). First launched in 1977 and discontinued for years, the Red Label III brings back the classic American over/under with a walnut stock, inertia-operated single trigger, and five included choke tubes — all chambered for 20 gauge and available with 28” or 30” barrels.
Read our full Ruger Red Label III Buying Guide ↓
What Makes the Red Label III Different From the Original?
The original Ruger Red Label debuted in 1977 and built a loyal following for its durability and American-made quality before being discontinued. The Red Label III is a 2026 reintroduction built in partnership with Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company, one of the world’s premier fine shotgun makers. The result is a gun that retains the Red Label’s classic lines but benefits from CSMC’s elevated craftsmanship — making this the most refined Red Label Ruger has ever offered.
Red Label III Specs: What You Get
The Red Label III is chambered in 20 gauge and handles both 2¾” and 3” shells. Barrel options are 28” or 30”, both with precise internal geometry engineered for consistent patterns and superior shot performance. The walnut stock features a classic checkering pattern and a hand-rubbed oil finish. Each gun ships in a premium custom case with five Tru-Choke-style choke tubes: Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full.
Single Trigger, Tang Safety — How the Controls Work
The Red Label III uses an inertia-operated single trigger that resets automatically on recoil — you don’t need to consciously reset between shots, which keeps the shooting rhythm natural. The automatic tang safety doubles as a first-shot barrel selector, letting you choose whether the bottom or top barrel fires first with a simple toggle. This is the standard control setup for serious sporting clays and upland hunters who want flexibility without complexity.
Is the Red Label III the Right O/U for Hunting or Sport Shooting?
The Red Label III is designed for upland game hunting, skeet, sporting clays, and waterfowl. The 20-gauge chambering makes it a natural fit for hunters who want a lighter, more maneuverable gun in the field, while the 28” and 30” barrel options give sporting clays shooters the swing-through they prefer. The included five-choke set covers everything from tight full patterns for long crossers to open skeet chokes for close flushing birds — this gun is genuinely versatile out of the box.
Ruger Red Label III vs. Other American Over/Unders
The Red Label III competes with Browning Citori and Weatherby Orion in the American-heritage over/under category, but its CSMC construction puts it closer to a custom-shop gun than a production shotgun. Where the Citori leans on volume production, the Red Label III’s partnership with CSMC means individual attention to fit and finish. For a buyer who wants an American-made, walnut-stocked over/under with legitimate fine-gun pedigree, the Red Label III is the most compelling new option on the market.
Related Pages
Browse all over/under shotguns, explore the full Ruger firearms lineup, or shop 20-gauge shotguns.