For the first time in what seems like a thousand years we're going to put an American-made side-by-side into the hands of America's bird hunters. Deliveries of the long-promised and all-new Ruger Gold Label are starting to trickle down through the Ruger distribution system. First to distributors, who in turn will undoubtedly pass them along to their best (read: high-volume) dealers. It's not likely that the trickle of deliveries will ever become a torrent, so clout counts in getting yours.

The approach to your Ruger dealer in getting high on his list for a Ruger Gold Label doesn't have to be subtle. Ideally, you'd like a call when his first few of Gold Labels are unpacked. If you're not related by marriage or hold your dealer's mortgage, consider an advance deposit against the purchase price to allow you to pick the gun you want before they go on the shelf.

So what's to choose?
The Ruger Gold Label is offered in both pistol and straight (English) grip models. Ruger puts AAA Premium grade American Walnut on these sleek, round action stainless steel receiver side-by-sides. AAA grade is generally defined as one side "Very Good" and the other side "Good." The grading is done before the wood is cut. Keep in mind that wood blanks are kind of like surprise packages. Since AAA is next door to the lower reaches of Exhibition grade --fortune favors the early viewer. Ruger has a reputation for erring on the side of excellence where wood is concerned. By obtaining the first look at a shipment of Gold Labels, you get to pick the gun with the grip you want with the wood you like best. You would not be the first guy who picked his gun on the basis of the wood instead of the grip. Indecision is the key to flexibility. Maybe buy two guns if you can't make up your mind.

Shooting your Gold Label
You're going to need a pair of snug-fitting shooting gloves. The position of your lead (left) hand is on the barrels, just ahead of the seven inch splinter forend with which your Ruger Gold Label is equipped. The glove does two things: (1) it keeps from getting your pinkies singed when the shooting gets hot and heavy; and, (2) it overcomes the innate fear that American shooters have of putting their bare hands on the blued surface of a barrel.

The major benefits that derive from shooting a longer lead hand are: (1) it encourages you to lean into the gun, which helps your swing and helps your lead hand move the barrels to the target area; and, (2) it keeps your head down on the stock, which helps you overcome the second most common reason for missing birds (raising your head).

Your Ruger Gold Label weighs only six pounds five or six ounces, so it's not likely that you will use the three-inch chambers very often. The rule of thumb on recoil comfort is that you need six pounds of gun to put one ounce of shot out the barrel. So your Ruger should allow you to shoot 1-1/4 ounce loads without discomfort.

It you're shooting over a close-working dog, the Skeet chokes that Ruger includes with this gun are a blessing. In any case, you can take advantage of the major advances that sporting clays has brought to the 12 gauge ammunition scene. There are lots of great high speed (1300 to 1500 FPS) loads that allow you to fudge your leads and that extend the effective range by five to ten yards. The wealth of small pellet (Nos. 7-1/2, 8, 8-1/2 and 9) selections insures nice full patterns. Nickel or copper-plated shot reduces feather draw. Look for some of this nifty new stuff from Federal, Fiocchi, Kent, Lyalvale, Remington and Winchester at your dealer's. Do not be seduced by the dark side of promotional loads for your Ruger Gold Label.

The stainless steel steal
The $1,995 Suggested Retail on the Ruger Gold Label is like a gift. If this gun had to be imported for Europe at today's exchange rates, it would cost maybe 30% or 40% more -- and probably not be as well executed or warranteed as well as the Ruger Gold Label. Run - don't walk - to make nice with your Ruger dealer today!