Ruger 12 Gaude Gold Label Instruction Manual

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SPECIAL FEATURES
The RUGER®12 GAUGE SIDE-BY-SIDE shotguns are offered with
stainless steel receivers. The trigger and forend iron are made of stainless steel
with an attractive brushed finish. The trigger guard, top lever, and safety
thumbpiece, as well as barrels, are of heat-treated chrome-molybdenum steel,
polished overall and blued.
The top lever and its pivot directly engage the locking bolt both on opening and
closing motions. The lever and the locking bolt are driven to the closed position
by the top lever spring which, through its strut, retains the top lever in the gun.
The Ruger shotgun has been engineered to minimize the force required for
cocking.
OPERATION OF SAFETY
The RUGER®SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUNhas a safety selector combined
with a barrel selector for convenient use. The safety selector is located at the top
rear of the receiver.
The safety selector can be moved from the “Fire” position to its “Safe” position
whether or not the mechanism is cocked. Fully opening the shotgun cocks the
mechanism. The action can be opened with the safety “on.”
Whenever the action is opened, the safety automatically moves rearward to its
“on,” or “Safe” position (the letter ‘S’ visible forward of the safety thumbpiece on
the top surface of the receiver). If the safety thumbpiece is moved forward to
cover the letter ‘S’, the safety is in its “off”  or “Fire” position and remains in that
position until moved back to the “Safe” position manually, or until the action is
opened again. Keep the safety “on” unless actually firing!
BARREL SELECTION
The letters “L” and “R” appear to the right and left of the safety thumbpiece, and
indicate which barrel is to fire first. NOTE:The safety must be “on” (letter ‘S’
visible, safety moved to rearmost position) before the barrel selector feature can
be used. Y
ou cannot change the barrel firing sequence while the safety is “off.”If
the thumbpiece is then moved to the left so that the letter “R” appears, the right
barrel will fire first when the safety is pushed forward and the trigger is pulled. If
the thumbpiece is moved to the right when the safety is on so that the letter “L”
appears, the left barrel will fire first when the safety is pushed forward and the
trigger is pulled. See page 13.
Do not attempt to select bar
rels between shots!Once you have fired one barrel,
the other will automatically be the next one to fire when you pull the trigger. If
you only fire one shot and wish to reload, simply break open the gun, eject the
fired shell, reload the chamber, and close the gun. The automatic safety will have
engaged, and you can now select either barrel for your next shot. Keep the safety
“ON” (S) until you are actually firing on a selected target. 
						

							Practice (with an unloaded shotgun) moving the safety/barrel selector to the
three positions until you know the position of the safety selector for the three
modes – Safe (S), Fire left barrel first (L), and Fire right barrel first (R).
WARNING: When manipulating the safety selector, DO NOT HAVE ANY FINGER
INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD! Whenever the safety selector is in the “Fire”
position and the trigger is pulled, the shotgun will fire.
The safety selector should always be in the “Safe” (S) position except when the
gun user is actually firing. The safety selector should unfailingly be moved to the
“Safe” (S) position when the gun user ceases firing, even for a moment.
SAFETY/BARREL SELECTOR POSITIONS
The safety selector should be moved to the “Safe” (S) position and kept there
unless the gun is to be fired immediately.
“Safe” (and Barrel Selecting) Position
“Fire” — Right Barrel First
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Figure 6. Safety selector in forward “Fire
Right Barrel (R) First” position. Pulling the
trigger will fire the right barrel – a second
pull will then fire the left barrel. It is not
necessary to select between shots. The safety
selector should be in this position only when
the gun user is actually firing. 
“Fire” — Left Barrel First
Figure 4.Safety selector in “Safe” (S) full
rearward position. The safety selector must be
in this position to select position ‘L’ or ‘R’
described below. In this position, the trigger
cannot be pulled to fire the gun. Either ‘L’ or
‘R’ may be partially visible, but the shotgun is
only on “Safe” when the ‘S’ is fully exposed. If
the ‘S’ is not
visible, the shotgun is ready to
fire!
Figure 5.Safety selector is forward “Fire Left
Barrel (L) First” position. Pulling the trigger
will fire the left barrel  – a second pull of the
trigger will then fire the right barrel. It is not
necessary to select between shots. The safety
selector should be moved to this position only
when the gun user is actually firing.
When the safety is in either fire position, it is referred to as being “off.” (When
the safety is in the “Safe” (S) position, it is referred to as being “on”.)    
						

							Keep the safety on unless actually firing.
Always move the safety fully to its intended
position and check
it. The safety has three
positions – “SAFE” (S), “FIRE (L) LEFT Barrel-
FIRST” and “FIRE (R) RIGHT Barrel - FIRST”.
Never depend on a safety mechanism or any
other mechanical device to justify careless
handling or permitting the shotgun to point in
an unsafe direction. The only “safe” gun is one
in which the action is open and the chambers
are empty.
KNOW HOW TO USE THE SAFETY
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!WARNING – SAFETY SELECTOR
This safety selector is held in each of its three positions by a plunger that is
under spring tension. Therefore, the gun user should frequently check the
position of the safety selector to be certain it has not been inadvertently moved.
If the safety selector seems to move too easily, or if the safety selector does not
seem firmly positioned in any of its three positions, the shotgun should be
discontinued from use and returned to our Newport, New Hampshire Product
Service Department for repair.
AMMUNITION
The Ruger 12 gauge Gold Label Side-by-Side Shotguns have 3” chambers and
may be used with all standard commercially manufactured 2 3/4” and 3” shot
shells. This gun has been tested with special proof test ammunition which
conforms to U.S. industry practice. It is intended for use only with standard
ammunition of the proper gauge and loading. Use of incorrect ammunition can
destroy any gun and result in serious injury to the shooter or bystanders. (See
“Ammunition Warning,” p. 15)
STEEL SHOT
All steel shot loads loaded to current U.S. industry specifications can be used in
currently manufactured Ruger shotguns equipped with screw-in chokes,
including the Ruger Gold Label Side-By-Side shotgun. Some older Ruger “Red
Label” Over and Under shotguns were manufactured with conventional fixed
chokes. In conventionally choked full choke barrels without screw-in choke
tubes, the use of large size (F, T, BB and larger) steel shot can result in a very
slight ring near the muzzle. It must be emphasized that this ring should have no
adverse effect on pattern or shot velocity. As we have no control over the
manufacture of ammunition which may be introduced in the future, we cannot
be responsible for damage caused by steel shot loads.
“SAFE” “FIRE”
RIGHT BBL.
FIRST“FIRE”
LEFT BBL.
FIRST    
						

							Since steel shot generally patterns tighter than conventional lead shot loads, it
would be wise to avoid the use of steel shot altogether in conventionally choked
“full choke” barrels. Modified choke barrels generally deliver “full choke”
patterns when used with steel shot.
We do not recommend anyof our shotguns for use with reloads, steel shot or
otherwise.
!WARNING – AMMUNITION
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE
OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR
AS A RESULT OF, THE USE IN ANY RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY, OR
NON-STANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND-LOADED
(RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN
THOSE FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
15
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to lead
and other substances known to the state of
California to cause birth defects,
reproductive harm, and other serious
physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at
all times. Wash hands thoroughly after
exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD
!WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE
Death, serious injury, and damage can
result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect
cartridge components.  Always
wear
shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS  
						

							3. To attach the barrel assembly
to the receiver, hold the
stock by the pistol grip in
one hand as shown in Figure
8. Make sure the top lever is
opened to the right in order
to accept the barrel
assembly. Hold the barrel
assembly in the other hand,
make sure both ejectors are
fully extended from the
chambers, and engage the
hinge pin in the receiver
with the corresponding
recesses at the front end of the monobloc. Be sure the small lug (indicated by
the arrow in “A” in Figure 8.) on the outer surfaces of the ejectors engage the
corresponding slot inside the front end of the receiver BEFORE CLOSING
THE GUN! The foregoing caution must be followed otherwise the receiver will
be damaged by the ejectors as the gun is closed.
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ASSEMBLING THE SHOTGUN
The Ruger Gold Label Side-By-Side Shotgun is shipped partially disassembled. To
assemble, proceed as follows:
1. After unwrapping the barrel/forearm assembly and receiver/stock assembly,
wipe excess rust preventative oil from the monobloc and inside surfaces of the
receiver. Swab the bores with a clean cloth patch on a cleaning rod to remove
any excess oil.
2. To Correctly Remove Forend (See Figure 7):
a. Unlatch forend by pressing in the forend latch plunger at tip of forend.
b. Carefully pull down on tip of forearm until slight resistance is felt -
APPLICATION OF EXCESSIVE FORCE AT THIS POINT CAN RESULT IN
BREAKAGE.
c. While holding forearm tip away from barrels, carefully pull forearm toward
the muzzle and remove forearm from barrels.
Do not attempt to attach barrel assembly to receiver with the forend attached!
3
Figure 7 – Removing Forend
3
Figure 8 – Attaching Barrels
“A” 
						

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4. Swing the muzzle end
of the barrels upward,
pivoting the rear end of
the monobloc
downward to seat in
the receiver as shown
in Figure 9. The barrel
assembly is seated and
locked into the receiver
when the top lever
snaps to its centered
position.
17 Figure  9 – Closing Action  
Figure 10 – Attaching Forend
5. Place the rear end of the forend iron against the receiver as shown in Figure
10, and swing the front end of the forearm upward until the forend latch lever
aligns with the forend latch hook on the underside of the lower barrel.
Depress the forend latch and carefully snap the forend assembly up into its
locked position.
INSTALLATION OF SCREW-IN CHOKES
Make sure the shotgun is unloaded!Either open the action or dismount the
barrels completely from the action assembly. Lightly coat the threads of both the
barrel and the desired choke insert with good quality gun oil. Carefully start the
choke insert into the barrel threads by hand, taking care that the choke insert is
not cross-threaded. Using the choke wrench (supplied), carefully hand tighten
the choke insert into the barrel until it is tightly secured in the barrel, and so
that the choke insert is fully bottomed into its recess in the barrel. Take note
which choke you are inserting into each barrel. The choke inserts are stamped
either “FULL’, “MODIFIED”, “IMPROVED CYLINDER”, or “SKEET”. Remove the
choke wrench from the barrel after tightening. 
						

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CHOKE WRENCHCHOKE INSERT
(TUBE)BARRELS
NOTE:  Stainless Steelchoke inserts may protrude slightly from muzzle when
fully seated. This is normal and helps protect the muzzle of the barrel from
damage.
To minimize the possibility of damage to the screw-in choke inserts and the
barrel threads, it is recommended that a set of choke inserts be kept correctly
tightened into the barrel at all times, including storage and cleaning. Cleaning
the barrels without the choke inserts in place can push dirt and other fouling
into the barrel threads, which will interfere with proper installation of the choke
inserts.
Rifled and Saboted Slugs— Do not fire slugs unless a choke insert is installed
(see “Screw-In choke Warnings”, p. 19). It is recommended that you do not fire
slugs through a full choke insert.
Steel Shot— Steel shot loads manufactured to U.S. Industry Standards can be
used with Ruger Screw-in choke inserts with no special precautions other than
those listed above and on page 14.
Please Note
that the relatively lightweight barrels of this model you have chosen
for its fast handling and ease of carrying, and their corresponding thinner choke
tubes, require that the user take precautions to avoid abusive mishandling of the
shotgun against hard objects that could cause dents or other deformation. This
is a characteristic of all lightweight shotgun barrels and choke tubes. If such
denting or deformation occurs, contact our Product Service Department
immediately to have the shotgun repaired. Never use any gun with dented or
deformed parts!See page 27. 
						

							Do not peer directly into the shotgun muzzles!
This is dangerous and unnecessary. Do not
change choke inserts in a loaded shotgun,
regardless of the position of the safety. Never
fire the shotgun if the screw-in choke inserts
are not fully and tightly bottomed into the
barrel threads, or if the inserts are improperly
installed or “cross-threaded”, or if the threads
of either the barrel or the choke insert are
damaged. Under these conditions, the barrel
will be damaged and the screw-in choke inserts
can be propelled out of the muzzle with great
velocity when the gun is fired, with resultant
risks of property damage or injury to the
shooter or bystanders. Do not attempt to alter
or modify existing fixed choke Ruger shotgun
barrels for screw-in choke inserts. This can
seriously weaken the barrel and may be
dangerous. See “Alteration Warning” elsewhere
in instruction manual.
DO NOT PEER INTO MUZZLES
OR CHANGE TUBES ON A
LOADED SHOTGUN
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!WARNING – SCREW-IN CHOKES
OPERATION OF THE SHOTGUN
Always check to be sure the gun is unloaded before handling, “dry-firing”, take-
down, cleaning or storage.
Every Ruger Shotgun is inspected before shipment to ensure that it conforms to
our standards of finish and performance. WE ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY
FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ITS INTENTIONAL OR
ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. No mechanism can prevent injury caused by careless
or thoughtless handling of a loaded firearm.
Be sure you only use the correct choke inserts (tubes).Ruger Side-By-Side choke
tubes are not
interchangeable with any other Ruger shotgun chokes, including
those designed for our Red Label Over-and-Under shotguns. Screw-in choke
inserts are stainless steel and stamped on the side either “FULL”, “MODIFIED”,
“IMPROVED CYLINDER”, or “SKEET”. A general rule of thumb is that if the
choke tubes screw in significantly below flush with the muzzle, or if the chokes
stick more than slightly out of the muzzle when completely tightened, you are
either using the wrong choke tubes or you have incorrectly installed them.
Never fire the shotgun without the screw-in choke inserts in place. Doing so will
cause an erratic shot pattern and may irreversibly damage the choke insert threads
in the barrel, making correct installation of the screw-in choke inserts impossible
without expensive re-barreling. Do not attempt to use screw-in choke tubes of any
other make or manufacture in Ruger shotguns. They will not function properly.  
						

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TO LOAD AND FIRE
Practice the important aspects of gun handling described below (with an
unloaded gun) until you can perform each of the steps with skill and confidence.
But before loading the shotgun, please read completely through this manual, and
be certain the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction. Do not load the shotgun
until you are ready to use it!
1. With the gun assembled, move the top lever completely to the right and open
the action completely. The ejectors snap rearward with a “click” to their
extended position if their barrels have been fired; otherwise, they will simply
move slowly rearward as if to extract but not eject
an unfired cartridge. Make
sure that the safety has moved rearward to the safe (S) position.
2. Look through the barrels from the rear to be sure that both barrels are
completely free from any obstruction (See Rule 4, p. 35).
3. With the gun opened, insert a shot shell of the proper gauge in each chamber.
4. Close the action and check to be sure it is securely locked and that the top
lever has moved fully to its centered position. Keep the gun pointed in a safe
direction and the safety on ‘S’. You may now select which barrel you prefer to
fire first by moving the barrel selector either to the right (“R”) or the left
(“L”). Most shooters fire the more open-choked barrel first, followed by a
tighter choke, if a second shot is necessary at a target that is moving away
from the shooter.
5. Only when you are ready to fire immediately, move the top safety thumbpiece
forward to its “off”, or “fire” position. The gun is now ready to fire.
6. Pulling the trigger will fire the barrel you have selected to fire first — “L”
(left) or “R” (right).
7. After firing the first barrel, the trigger must be allowed to return to its fully
forward position to permit firing the second barrel. Simply pull the trigger
again to fire the second barrel. It will fire regardless of a failure to fire in the
first barrel or if you have failed to load a cartridge into the chamber of the first
barrel, since the Ruger shotgun trigger mechanism does not depend upon the
recoil of the first shot to “set” the second barrel for firing (as on some
competing shotguns). Remember that you should not
attempt to pivot the
barrel selector between shots – the second barrel is automatically selected to
fire on the next pull of the trigger.
8. If a second shot is not to be fired immediately, return the safety to its rearmost
“S” position. The shotgun may be opened by pushing the top lever fully to the
right and swinging the barrels downward. Any remaining live shells will be
raised by the extractors and can be manually extracted; and fired shell cases
will be automatically ejected when the barrels are fully opened. This is the
preferred safe carrying position for break-open shotguns. Always be certain
that the shotgun is pointed in a safe direction!
WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER
UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE.
! 
						

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!WARNING – UNLOADING
After firing, move the safety to the ‘S’ position, move the top lever completely to
the right, and pivot the barrels downward to open the action and eject the empty
shot shells. Vigorously opening the barrels downward will assist in ejecting
empty shells. If the action is opened with unfired shot shells in the chambers,
they will be elevated (but not
ejected) sufficiently to be easily extracted with the
fingers. You must remove live (unfired) cartridges manually! Visually inspect
both
chambers to be sure the shotgun is completelyunloaded prior to closing
the action when you are finished shooting.
!WARNING – FIRING
All persons must be a safe distance to the
rear of the shooter when a shotgun is being
fired. Particles of shot, lead, powder,
lubricant, accumulated bore deposits and
particles of clay targets can be blown in a
wide area – particularly if the wind is
blowing – into the eyes and face of the
shooter and those nearby. For that reason
shooters and bystanders must wear shooting
glasses or similar eye protection. Hearing
protection must also be worn because
exposure to shooting noise can damage
hearing.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND
HEARING PROTECTION
TO UNLOAD
So that the gun can be conveniently
reloaded after firing one shot, the
selective ejector mechanism only
ejects fired shells. It does not
eject
live ammunition.Do not rely upon
the ejector mechanism to unload the
gun. Simply opening the gun does
not unload it. To unload, open gun
smartly, manually remove all
cartridges,and visually check both
chambers to be sure both
chambers
are unloaded.
MAKE SURE GUN IS
UNLOADED