Help me decide on GP100 Wiley Clapp

[GKC]

I went to my LGS to browse the other day, and I saw a new GP100 Wiley Clapp edition. If you haven't seen one, here is a link to Jeff Quinn's review of one:

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-GP100WC.htm

I put it on layaway, so I don't have it yet. Now, I am having second thoughts. It is a really good looking revolver, but I'm a little uncertain about the finish. Being matte stainless, if it gets scratched I doubt that I could polish it like the regular stainless finish. I'm not wild about the front sight, but that can be changed to a tritium night sight...and so can the rear sight, although I don't mind the rear sight. The typical Ruger warnings aren't so blatant on this revolver, although there are still some. The grips are really nice, but that's a minor consideration.

So, I'm waffling...from what I understand, this is going to be a limited production model, so it may be somewhat collectible. I don't buy guns to collect, though. I do like the 3" GP100...I had one before, and wish I hadn't traded it. It is $700, which is more than the "regular" GP100.

I can get my layaway money back, if I do it soon...I've bought a lot of guns there, and they are really good to me. (If I do decide not to get it, I will ask them to keep a portion of the money I put down, for their inconvenience...but they probably won't.)

I know this is my decision, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

 

[Darkwolf]

I would ask myself this...in a year would I regret it if I passed on it?

 

[wixedmords]

GKC,

You should be able to use Scotch-Brite pads to fix any finish issues on the Clapp GP. These pads come in different grits like sandpaper and steel-wool. It shouldn't take too much trail and error to match the finish if you need to. I'd strike that issue off your list.

Secondly, find a front sight you like and make sure it fits the application. Then, beyond the added cost of a purchase of a second sight, your issues may be solved.

The Clapp GP sounds like such a prize in your description I wonder if you would keep it as a non-shooter anyway. She sure is purty.

 

[GKC]

I would ask myself this...in a year would I regret it if I passed on it?

Well, I sure do regret trading away my GP100...I haven't seen another one locally. I'm more into semis, but I do like to have a good revolver available...and I don't have one currently.

 

[GKC]

GKC,

You should be able to use Scotch-Brite pads to fix any finish issues on the Clapp GP. These pads come in different grits like sandpaper and steel-wool. It shouldn't take too much trail and error to match the finish if you need to. I'd strike that issue off your list.

Secondly, find a front sight you like and make sure it fits the application. Then, beyond the added cost of a purchase of a second sight, your issues may be solved.

The Clapp GP sounds like such a prize in your description I wonder if you would keep it as a non-shooter anyway. She sure is purty.

Yeah, she is a purdy lil thang! :lol:

I probably wouldn't carry it...but it sure would be nice to have. I used to be interested in revolvers only, then got into semis...to the point that I don't have any revolvers right now, only pistols. I'm really thinking I need to go ahead and get it!

 

[Big Stu]

I was considering the Wiley Clapp version but I elected to go with the good old 4"GP 100 and I have NO regrets! I can carry it CCW with the right holster, and I worry less about it. I replaced the Hogue monogrip with the old style rubber with walnut inserts and then I purchased some nice inserts from Altamont grips. Here she is:

 

[trouble]

I like the looks of it, if I had the funds I'd get one.

 

[GKC]

I was considering the Wiley Clapp version but I elected to go with the good old 4"GP 100 and I have NO regrets! I can carry it CCW with the right holster, and I worry less about it. I replaced the Hogue monogrip with the old style rubber with walnut inserts and then I purchased some nice inserts from Altamont grips. Here she is:

Those grips and inserts are nice....when I had my previous GP100, I did the same thing: bought the rubber grips and got some inserts from Altamont (I love their products...I have their grips on all my 1911.) I don't care for adjustable sights on a revolver, though...just my quirk...and the reason I liked the 3" GP100 (plus I prefer a shorter barrel on a defensive revolver.)

 

[anachronism]

Pretty serious case of "buyers remorse" you've got going there. If you don't want it, tell them and free it up for someone else. Then, find something you do want. The issues you're having don't seem to be too terribly serious to me, and some of the other posts have some really good advice for dealing with this.

 

[hittman]

My experience is that most things made and marketed as limited production, limited edition or collectors items don't seem to increase in value very much. Of course there are exceptions.

To maximize your potential return on this gun you'd have to leave it unfired, cylinder unturned and in the box with the shipper and all the paperwork.

If I were looking for a GP and had $700 to $800 to spend, I'd be patient and get a nice used 3-inch for half that money. It'll always be worth what you paid for it.

Or ~ maybe a GP and a Security Six.

 

[Sal1950]

GKC,

You should be able to use Scotch-Brite pads to fix any finish issues on the Clapp GP. These pads come in different grits like sandpaper and steel-wool. It shouldn't take too much trail and error to match the finish if you need to. I'd strike that issue off your list.

Hate to disagree on that one but the Wiley edition has a matte finish on it that is probably created with some form of bead blasting. It would not be "repairable" with a Scotch-Brite like the brushed finish on standard stainless versions. Any marks on it could only be repaired by refinishing in the same manner the matte finish was made.
Sal

 

[GKC]

My experience is that most things made and marketed as limited production, limited edition or collectors items don't seem to increase in value very much. Of course there are exceptions.

To maximize your potential return on this gun you'd have to leave it unfired, cylinder unturned and in the box with the shipper and all the paperwork.

If I were looking for a GP and had $700 to $800 to spend, I'd be patient and get a nice used 3-inch for half that money. It'll always be worth what you paid for it.

Or ~ maybe a GP and a Security Six.

I don't buy any gun just to hold for resale...you make some good points to consider.

 

[hittman]

I also wonder if this matte finish is prone to scratches and dings. Think they made some Super Redhawks and maybe others this way and eventually discontinued them.

I suspect a "ding" on this matte finish would be just like a piece of blued finish gouged or scratched ~ always noticable.

 

[GKC]

I also wonder if this matte finish is prone to scratches and dings. Think they made some Super Redhawks and maybe others this way and eventually discontinued them.

I suspect a "ding" on this matte finish would be just like a piece of blued finish gouged or scratched ~ always noticable.

I had a 1911 once that had a matte frame and a stainless slide...and eventually the frame looked dirty and smudged where my fingers touched it as I gripped the pistol. I tried a few things to clean it, but nothing real harsh or abrasive, because I was concerned about scratching it. I eventually traded that pistol on something else. As I remember it, though, the matte finish on that pistol was a somewhat different color...almost a cream color...while the finish on this gun is a shade of gray.

 

[Sal1950]

I also wonder if this matte finish is prone to scratches and dings. Think they made some Super Redhawks and maybe others this way and eventually discontinued them.

I suspect a "ding" on this matte finish would be just like a piece of blued finish gouged or scratched ~ always noticable.

You're right on all counts, the "matte" finish is just like having a blued gun, anything that happens to it is there till it gets a refinish job.
The best feature to me of Rugers brushed stainless finish is how easy it is to home repair just about any moderate surface damage.

But don't get me wrong, I own a number of blued guns too. There's just something so rich looking to a beautifully polished and blued gun. I've got a 4" blued GP that's just so sweet. LOL
Sal

 

[GKC]

Well, I went in today and got it out of layaway. I thought about it, pro and con, and decided that I wanted it...the one thing I am not wild about is the front sight. I plan to change that...either to a tritium night sight, or a gold bead. I haven't decided that yet, but I do plan to do one or the other.

Thanks for all your input!