Connecticut Shotgun Launches the RBL-28

"Classic American" Sub-Gauge Announced Nov. 1

It’s been just more than two years since Tony Galazan’s Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co. announced the much-discussed RBL Launch Edition, an American-made 20-gauge side-by-side that broke new ground in its high-tech manufacture and with its unorthodox marketing. Next up: The RBL-28.

Connecticut Shotgun will begin taking orders Nov. 1. for the second RBL model: a scaled-frame 28-gauge already rolling through a production process that the company says has been greatly improved by the experience of the Launch Edition.
“There aren’t really a lot of great 28-gauge side-by-sides out there,” said CSMC Sales and Marketing Manager Louis Frutuoso. “We felt there was a need in the marketplace for an American-made, classic-American-style side-by-side.” Presented in a fitted case of wood, canvas and leather with accessories, the standard guns will cost $3,650. Similar to the Launch Edition, CSMC is offering a $200 discount and a priority delivery date for payment in full at the time of the order.

The 28-gauge RBLs do, indeed, look like scaled-down models of the Launch Edition, and they will be built to essentially the same design. Although the engraving pattern has changed and the gun will be offered with a bone-charcoal case-color-hardened finish only, the smooth arc of the back of the receiver has carried on from the original version.

The technology of the company’s plant in New Britain, Connecticut, has allowed for a rapid conversion to the RBL-28. “It’s the same design and the same production line.” Frutuoso said. “It’s simply a matter of plugging the new recipe into the machine.
“The people are here, and the learning curve is minimal. We’re very, very efficient at making these now.”

Frutuoso acknowledged that the Launch Edition production run and order fulfillment had not been without their difficulties, with some delivery times running past 18 months for a factory-built and pre-paid gun. “We were just overwhelmed with orders on the Launch Edition,” he said, adding that the popularity of the guns and the speed at which they could be produced created limits on the initial run. Frutuoso said that at a certain point the firm recognized it would have to stop taking orders as delivery times grew.

“The whole logjam thing is behind us,” he said. “The difference this time is that we’re already up and running.” Frutuoso said that CSMC now employs 70 people, “with 80 percent of the staff time spent on building and shipping RBLs.”

Highlights and changes for the 28-gauge will include a choice of 26”, 28” or 30” barrels, all offered with fixed chokes; a more intricate engraving pattern designed by James Demunck; and the same choices in wood upgrades, grip, forend and trigger configurations as the Launch Edition.

“We’re offering it with really long barrels,” Frutuoso said, adding that he and Galazan believe that 30” barrels are growing in popularity with sub-gauge fans.

As for the decision to go with fixed chokes in the 28, Frutuoso said that screw-in chokes complemented the Launch Edition, making for a versatile 20-gauge. “With a 28-gauge gun,” he said, “you know what people are going to be doing with them.” The 26” barrels are choked Skeet and Improved Cylinder; the 28” and 30” barrels are Modified and Full. Frutuoso added that the barrels are not hard-chromed, so a customer who wants more open chokes can have the work done.

The wood upgrades shown on the CSMC Website include selections every bit as gorgeous as those offered on the Launch Edition. “We’re the largest high-grade wood buyer in the US right now,” Frutuoso said, adding that one of the challenges in ramping up for production of the RBL-28 proved to be an adequate supply of exhibition-grade American black walnut.
For full details, photographs, a video and an order form, visit the RBL Website.

  — Ed Carroll

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