Ruger Gold Label

{{Infobox weapon  |name= Ruger Gold Label |image= |caption= |origin= United States |type= [[Double barreled shotgun]]  |is_ranged= yes  |designer= |design_date= |manufacturer= [[Sturm, Ruger]] |production_date= 2002 – 2006 |number= |variants=  |weight= 6½ pounds |length= 45½ inches |part_length= 28 inches  |caliber= 12 [[gauge (bore diameter)|gauge]] |action= [[Break-action]] |sights= }}

The '''Ruger Gold Label''' was a side-by-side [[double-barreled shotgun]] that was made by [[Sturm, Ruger|Sturm, Ruger & Company, Incorporated]], at their manufacturing facility in [[Newport, New Hampshire]]. It was designed to be similar to traditional English shotguns used for [[upland hunting|upland bird hunting]] and for [[clay target]] games such as [[Sporting Clays|sporting clays]].<ref>[https://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_48/ai_87413413 Bodinson, Holt. "Ruger's Elegant Game Gun", ''Guns'' magazine, July, 2002]</ref> [[Category:Multiple-barrel firearms]]

==Features== The Gold Label has a stainless steel [[receiver (firearms)|receiver]] and blued [[gun barrel|barrels]]. The [[stock (firearms)|stock]] and fore-end are made of AAA-grade American walnut.<ref>[http://www.billhanusbirdguns.com/archive20.html Hanus, Bill. "It's Time to Make Nice with Your Ruger Dealer", Bill Hanus Birdguns]</ref> At 6½ pounds, the Gold Label is relatively lightweight for a double barreled shotgun.<ref name="Lee2014">{{cite book|last=Lee|first=Jerry|title=Standard Catalog of Ruger Firearms|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bVeYCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA115|date=16 December 2014|publisher=F+W Media, Inc.|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-4060-7|pages=115–116}}</ref>

Equipped with a single [[trigger (firearms)|trigger]], a barrel selector mechanism is used to choose whether the left or right barrel fires first. The second shot can be fired even if the first shot was a misfire and the shotgun has not [[recoil]]ed. The barrel selector is combined with the manual [[safety (firearms)|safety]] and is located at the top rear of the receiver, behind the top lever. Opening the [[break-action|action]] automatically engages the safety mechanism.<ref>[http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/31.pdf Ruger Gold Label Instruction Manual]</ref>

Only produced in 12 [[gauge (bore diameter)|gauge]], the [[chamber (firearms)|chambers]] are three inches in length, to accommodate either 2¾ inch or 3 inch [[shotgun shell|shells]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gunsandammomag.com/long_guns/gold_091205/index.html |title=Miller, Payton. "Ruger Gold Label", ''Guns & Ammo'', April, 2005 |access-date=23 May 2008 |archive-date=20 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620131901/http://www.gunsandammomag.com/long_guns/gold_091205/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Gold Label uses screw-in choke tubes that are steel shot compatible.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ruger’s Gold Label Takes On British 12-Bore Game Guns |url=https://www.gun-tests.com/accessories/rugers-gold-label-takes-on-british-12-bore-game-guns-2/ |website=Gun Tests |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111085717/http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/17_10/features/5283-1.html |archive-date=11 November 2007 |language=en-US |date=September 19, 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Models== There are two models of Gold Label. One has an American style pistol grip stock. The other has an English style straight grip stock. Both models have a splinter style fore-end.

The Gold Label was produced from 2004 to 2006 and has not been produced since. While the shotgun was still pictured in Ruger's 2008 Catalog, it was listed as "current production sold out, anticipate availability in 2009." According to most reports, the Gold Label will not be produced again due to its high cost of manufacturing.<ref name="Lee2014"/>

==Awards== In 2002, the Gold Label was named Shotgun of the Year by ''Shooting Industry News''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shootingindustry.com/si9202/sht9202.html |title="Shotgun of the Year, 1992 - 2007", ''Shooting Industry News'' |access-date=23 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428173942/http://www.shootingindustry.com/si9202/sht9202.html |archive-date=28 April 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2005, it won the "Golden Bullseye" Shotgun of the Year award from ''[[American Rifleman]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |title=2005 Golden Bullseye Award Winners |url=http://www.nra.org/Article.aspx?id=2395 |website=NRA.org |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050717085839/http://www.nra.org/Article.aspx?id=2395 |archive-date=17 July 2005 |language=en-US |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notes== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAFamily?type=Shotgun&subtype=Side-By-Side&famlst=51 Ruger Gold Label official website] *[http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/31.pdf Ruger Gold Label Instruction Manual]

[[Category:Sturm, Ruger & Co.]] [[Category:Double-barreled shotguns of the United States]]