Some of the problems with Red Lables were operator error. On some guns you had to make sure they were opened 100% to cock both barrels. The lower ejector does seem weak, most likely that is a problem of angles and physics, perhaps corrected in the new design. The internal parts were rough and finished only in areas that needed to be finished. If you took a stock off and looked at the sum of the parts you were not impressed. They did work as a unit but were not nice to look at. Then the gun did not have the means to re-tighten the action if loose and to many they seem loose early.
Perhaps the biggest failing is that the gun was designed as a field gun first and not a competition gun. With light use a Red Label should last several lifetimes as a target gun it would be loose and problematic due to part wear in just a few years. If you want a K-80 then buy a K-80, do not spend an eight of the money and expect the same service. Even a weekend warrior shooter, shooting trap or skeet, will put 5K to 10K through a gun in a year. A dedicated hunter might put 500-1K shells through a gun. It will last as a shooter with normal care but will be hard pressed as even a modest clays gun. Use the gun for what it was designed for and you should be happy.
Now as to most of the complaints coming from trap shooters. It was pointed out to me by a well known gunsmith that most trap shooters are tinkers at heart and they cause most of their own problems. While they might not mess with a 10K gun they will work on a Red Label in a heartbeat. Consider the source.
