I picked up a lightly used one for $599. Is it a good gun, any opinions welcome. No pics yet, sorry

Any GP100 is going to be a really good solid weapon. The 3" Wiley Clapp GP was available initially in satin stainless and followed later with a black oxide type finish. Production was supposed to be rather limited but was increased to meet demand. Many of the first buyers were not pleased when the production numbers exceeded the first run limit. Regardless, the WC is an excellent revolver and the 3" barrel makes it an ideal pack gun.

The SS version has the fiber optic sight, which is what I just purchased. The black, I believe all, has the brass bead front sight.

Did you get black, or SS?

I got the stainless or " Hawkeye" finish...looks awesome

Probably shoots well, too.

A couple of decades ago, Clapp tested about six GP-100's in machine rests, and all gave outstanding accuracy. As I recall, some did especially well with 140 grain .357 loads. That's a good compromise weight between high velocity and bullet weight and integrity.

Great revolver! You did good for $599.

Since, you already bought it, I hesitate to offer an opinion, as I fear you want affirmation for your purchase. So, please do not be offended, but since you asked, I will give you my honest answer, posted in other threads here about this model.

I prefer adjustable sights on guns of that nature, and if i want fixed sights, I am fine with the traditional type - the channel in the top strap and the low profile front ramp.

I am not wild about cutting a deep dovetail all the way across a perfectly good top strap, but I assume the Ruger engineers "did the math."

I was alarmed when I saw this, and I will stress that I cannot say the cause. I hope it was a bad reload.

Attached Images

	Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp blown up 1.jpg (187.8 KB, 124 views)
	Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp blown up 2.jpg (34.7 KB, 117 views)

I have a regular old 3" fixed sighted GP100. It's a great gun, and makes a perfect trail gun as stated above. I like it so much, I thought about buying a second, and sending it off to have some light custom work, but I haven't done so, yet.

What Shawn has shown above really makes me think. I kinda' wondered about that when I saw the first GPs with the dovetail cut. My thoughts were about losing strength in the frame, and what Shawn has shown above has confirmed my thoughts some what. The only real difference between the WC and a regular GP is the sights and finish, so, I see no need to get a WC Special. I've seen some other similar examples of the so-called "built like a tank" Rugers that might make someone think, about their true strength. I love all my Rugers, but one does have to stick with established loading info, and factory ammo. Rugers are very good guns, and I still wouldn't think twice about purchasing another.

A GP 100 was on my short list. Now, I'm not so sure. I was not aware that the beefy-appearing top strap had been milled out so deeply and a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. However, the cylinder also failed.

Ruger or any other company could make a gun to withstand a double, even triple charge but you would risk a hernia carrying such a gun.

You can always find a way to blow up a gun. In my youth I unintentionally tried to blow up my Security Six and Super Blackhawk unsuccessfully. 8 gr of Unique in a 38 case was my standard target plinking load. I went up from there.

I might be willing to bet if they sent that gun back to Ruger it would be repaired or replaced for little to no cost.

I'm mostly a S&W guy when it comes to revolvers. But, when I saw the Ruger GP100 WC 3" ,, I figured I needed one.

It had a nasty double action trigger with a terrible catch in it every once in a while. I've worked on lots of S&W revolver triggers ,, should be no problem !!??
Problem ,, everything in the GP100 works upside down and backwards from a S&W .

I sent it back to the factory. It came back somewhat better, but still had a double action catch every once in a while which drove me nuts.

I figured the heck with it and just shot it,, I use fairly hot .357's.. and after a little polishing and a few hundred warm .357's it smoothed out. ?? still not sure how or why .?

Now the trigger is almost as good as my S&W revolvers and it is one of my favorites. Love the way it feels ,, balances ,, and carries..

I think that past history with the Ruger line of revolvers speaks for itself. They are strong and have been repeatedly reported as such. Revolvers, and autos, do blow up. I believe the majority of the destruction is due to overloaded ammunition. I have seen photos of blow ups such as the one in this thread but without context or further explanations it doesn't matter. We all know about the bolt cuts in the Smith and Wesson revolver cylinders being over the weakest part of the cylinder. Yet, I don't remember seeing any photos of a Smith revolver being blown out at that part of a cylinder....

I think that you will be very pleased with your WC special. I have one that has the black finish and bead front sight and it shoots very well. Lock up is tight, cylinder rotation is perfect, and lock up is indexed perfectly and tight. Any concerns that I would have would be at the site of the forcing cone not at the cutout of he rear sight. But I am not a metallurgist nor an engineer. I do know that the Ruger revolvers that I own and shot and others that I have shot are wonderful and all shoot well. Enjoy your new revolver.

Lockup is what?....

Love my WC. Action is wonderful. It puts to shame the later Match Champion which I owned for a week. The only downside for me is that it is not on a Speed Six frame so it could be more easily carried. Yes I know, the -Six revolvers have been discontinued forever.

IMHO, $599 sounds a bit much for a used WC. I paid $699, IIRC, new. YMMV.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Since the top half of the cylinder is gone, I'd go with bad reload. I doubt the top strap had anything to do with it.

I have two GP-100's one is a older 4inch and is rock solid. The WC ??, well let's just say I think Ruger's QC is not what it used to be. That's why I have so many Smith's