Sleek Ruger 28 gauge is just right for petite shooters

Shooting Industry, Jan, 2005 by Lisa Parsons-Wraith

A common complaint among women is that firearms dealers often try to sell them small caliber firearms because that's what women "should" shoot. In reality, what a woman "should" shoot is a firearm that fits her unique needs and, sometimes, that is a smaller, lighter firearm. A good example of a firearm that suits the needs of a woman of small stature is the Ruger Red Label 28 gauge.

The 28 gauge has often been misunderstood by shooters. It has been labeled as more suitable for children and "sport" shooters who don't really need to bag a bird for dinner. However, savvy shotgunners who enjoy the increased challenge of this smaller smoothbore, know a secret--the 28 gauge is faster than the 20 gauge. If you check ballistic charts, you'll see that, in most instances, the 28 gauge has a higher muzzle velocity than the 20 gauge. The 28 gauge is a greater challenge because its shells hold less pellets than the 20 gauge, making a shot pattern that is both smaller and less dense.

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The Ruger Red Label 28 is designed on a smaller frame suited to the 28 gauge and every aspect is well proportioned. It weighs just over 6 pounds, is slightly narrower than 12- or 20-gauge models, and has a smaller-sized receiver. These lightweight and slender dimensions mean it is ideally suited to petite upland hunters. The barrels are back-bored for softer recoil and more uniform patterns, making this shotgun a pleasure to shoot.

The Ruger Red Label features hammer-forged steel barrels, virtually unbreakable firing pins, and a dovetailed, free-floating rib. The locking system, sleek and compact, is considered among the strongest ever built for over-and-under shotguns. The 28 gauge is offered with a pistol or straight grip stock in barrel lengths of 26 and 28 inches. Other touches include a ventilated rib and gold front sight bead, checkered American walnut stock with cushioned recoil pad, and brushed finish stainless steel receiver. An optional .410 bore tube set is available for the 28 gauge.

The Ruger Red Label 28 gauge features a sliding tang safety lever that also acts as a barrel selector. Ruger's trigger is mechanically operated, so the first barrel doesn't have to recoil in order to reset the trigger before the second barrel can be fired. This means the second shot can be fired whether the gun has recoiled or not.

This is one of those "hidden gem" firearms that dealers should keep in mind when they hear upland game hunters complaining about the weight of their shotgun or about heavy recoil. If your clientele contains a large number of the senior set, this shotgun is ideal for shoulders that have been battered by years of shotgunning or that suffer from arthritis. It's easy to carry, easy to shoot and easy on a shooter's body.