New Wiley Clapp GP100

Nice gun with a funny name!

Finish kinda looks like the gun in Roger Rabbit. Nice shootin' arn.

I find that version of the GP100 very tempting.

Congratulations. I've got one also. Awesome gun.

Very nice! Congrats on the new Ruger.

Where did you purchase it. I've been looking for one but it seems there were a limited run of both the stainless and black versions.

Very nice revolver.

I was already a big GP100 fan, and these Wiley Clapps look even cooler, so I recently floated a trade offer to a guy I know that was looking to let one go (a repeat Armslist acquaintance).
But after looking into the details, it seemed that the "improvements" were largely superficial. As best I could tell, from what I've read, it sounds like there actually isn't any special trigger job done to these things, (not that I had any issues with the factory GP trigger), but I would've thought that would be about the FIRST thing they'd look to improve.
So basically, they countoured and beveled the edges, gave it a slick finish and new grip panels, and added some Novak sights, and jacked the price a couple hundred.
After finding all that out, I decided I was going to back out of the trade, but fortunately my buddy had decided he really needed the cash out of it, more than he needed a new toy, so I didn't have to weasel out on him .


edit: I just did some more searching on this, and info seems to be conflicting (huge surprise). Some folks are saying the triggers are identical, some are saying there's been some "smoothing" but nothing justifying another $200. Wiley Clapp's website showing the pistol only mentions the other changes, but nothing about any trigger job, which again, I would think would be first and foremost in their list of attributes, if they had done it. So, I dunno.

IMO the sights alone almost justify the price. Pay someone to mill dovetails and put a set of those sights on for you and it'll cost you about $200.

Very nice.
Love the matte finish and the grip. IMO the GP panel style grip is the best grip on any 357.

Nice gun! The Wiley Clapp edition of the GP100 is about the only Ruger I am practically drooling over. I want one for sure.

It is close to a perfect carry revolver IMO:

• The medium frame is big and heavy enough to shoot comfortably, yet not too big or heavy to carry . It is heavy enough for decent recoil absorption and quick follow up shots. And, even with boot grips, it gives a decent hand filling grip.
• The 3" barrel is long enough for a decent sight radius and to get most of the ballistics out of the 38+P or .357mag round while still being quite concealable (though 4-6" will get more, it won't be nearly as concealable). Of course, it also cuts a few ounces off the 4" gun, also making it a better CCW gun.
• I am a fan of the more original style GP100 grips, They are smaller than the Hogues they use now on most of the rest of the GP100s, while still being comfortable.
• The sights are a big improvement over a traditional fixed or adjustable sighted revolver.

About the only things I'd change if I was designing my own ideal carry revolver: wood Secret Service (or similar) boot grips, 7 round cylinder (or a slightly smaller and lighter K-frame or Service/Speed Six sized 6-shooter), and a tritium/fiber optic front sight insert instead of just fiber optic. Still, it has far fewer compromises than you'd usually find from the factory, and one change (the grips) is quite easy and cheap, and the other (the sights) are likely much easier and cheaper than with most stock revolvers due to the factory dovetails

Not a big fan of the stock GP100 (greatly prefer the Security Six), but this Wiley Clapp version has got my interest. A bit pricey and like others here would like to see some sort of trigger work done for that kind of money.

I was all set to buy a WC GP100 that was on Armslist here. But, the seller was a busy guy, and hard to hook up with.
Sold an AK to fund it, and I had the money in pocket when I looked at the used case of a large LGS, and saw a standard 3" GP100 with fixed sights.
Checked it out, and it was in perfect condition.
Ended up buying it for a couple hundred less than the WC version. It was a risk for me, as I've had two Ruger fixed sight guns that didn't shoot to point of aim.
The pic shows my first six rounds, fired at 25yds. The first three were aimed at six o'clock, the second three, I raised the sight picture a little....


The fixed sights are perfectly regulated, and provide an excellent sight picture. I shoot mine at 10" steel plates at my club, from 40yds to 80yds, and I can't seem to miss with them.
The hogue grip that came on it actually works great for shooting, but I replaced them with the compact Lett grip. Makes for easy carry, and they also work great for shooting...fit my hand very well.


When I was getting ready to buy, I read a lot about GP100 triggers, and how inferior they are to S&W...I'm a big S&W k-frame fan, so I was prepared to do a home trigger job on my GP. Come to find out, my GP has an excellent trigger in both SA and DA...fully the equal of my well used Model 15 and Model 10.
I will add that this 3" GP100 is a better shooter than the 4" stainless Security Six I owned a few years ago.
I guess my point is, don't think it's "Wiley Clapp or nothing...". If you find a good deal on a 3" GP, go for it. There are even 3" adjustable sight GP's out there, if you are lucky enough to find one.

3" gp is my night stand gun. Purchased before the Wiley clap came out. Mine has the original compact lett grips. The stock trigger was noticeably smoother and lighter than my others. If you like revolvers (I do) then it's a great belt gun.

I also have a Wiley Clapp GP 100. Bought it a few years ago when they first came out. It feels and looks nice and is very accurate if you are shooting single action. My only issue is the trigger is ridiculous. Double action it is so heavy that shooters who aren't familiar with it will short stroke it routinely until they figure it out.

I also have an older 2.5" S&W 686P that is of similar size. It's trigger is just so much smoother and easier to use than the GP 100, I never take the Ruger to the range anymore.

BTW, 3" GP100 holster aren't the most common things. I got a Galco Summer Comfort (their version of a summer special).
It fits and carries IWB very well.

I have a fixed sight 3" gp100 and think the trigger is too long with too much play. The weight of the pull is okay but the rest is underwhelming and would like to try it against a Wiley Clapp model. It's a great feeling gun with compact grips and am trying to decide if it's worth a front sight upgrade.

On An Island - Beautiful Gun

Love the grips!