Lipsey Ruger Significance?
- Thread starter C3Ranger
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Significance depends on the person. Some seem to worship at the alter of certain distributors; and they do a lot to keep new models coming out and interest in the hobby.
Others like me …. Since I have about ZERO interest in new guns, not so much.
Others like me …. Since I have about ZERO interest in new guns, not so much.
Lipseys is keeping several Ruger guns alive. The 77, 77/22, mid frame flattop blackhawks. If anybody ever persuades them to build no1s again, it will be lipseys. I dont think of them as better or more collectible but they are a force keeping some handbuilt guns coming from Ruger.
I posted the pictures accidentally before I wrote this. These are Lipsey Mark 2's. The blue one is a MK4BL and the stainless is a KMK4BL. The blue one had about 2400 made and the stainless had 1002 made.
Large distributors, Lipsey's, TALO, etc. try to create something different or unique that only they market in hopes someone shopping for a new gun will purchase that can't be obtained from multiple channels.
What Gator89 said plus some distributor models have desirable (to some folks) features unavailable on the Ruger standard offerings. As an example, the KMK4BL shown above is the only all stainless steel Mark with a 4" bull barrel that Ruger has made, so far.
Ruger is in business to make money and floating limited interest design balloons that may lose money is unwise. OTOH, Ruger making special runs seems to be profitable for them and the distributors while giving us revolvers that may scratch an itch that a stock Ruger may not. I place some extra value on select distributor special revolvers.
contender
Ruger Guru
Lipsey's is a Distributor.
As far as any significance of a "Lipsey's Special" there can often be a little premium in the secondary market due to the variation of a factory cataloged model.
Distributors can get Ruger to build a gun with a few features not offered by a regular production model. Often in lower numbers,, (500-2000) to get Ruger to build it. They guarantee to Ruger they will purchase all of them, so Ruger has guaranteed sales. And often the features they get done are desirable to enough people that the sales demands exceed the projection. So, sometimes they can bring a premium. And often,, the fact that a distributor got that particular model built,, it's a way to describe WHAT it is to other folks.
And as noted above,, Lipsey's has done a LOT of various guns that many of us want,, so they have a very good, close relationship with Ruger to get stuff built.
As far as any significance of a "Lipsey's Special" there can often be a little premium in the secondary market due to the variation of a factory cataloged model.
Distributors can get Ruger to build a gun with a few features not offered by a regular production model. Often in lower numbers,, (500-2000) to get Ruger to build it. They guarantee to Ruger they will purchase all of them, so Ruger has guaranteed sales. And often the features they get done are desirable to enough people that the sales demands exceed the projection. So, sometimes they can bring a premium. And often,, the fact that a distributor got that particular model built,, it's a way to describe WHAT it is to other folks.
And as noted above,, Lipsey's has done a LOT of various guns that many of us want,, so they have a very good, close relationship with Ruger to get stuff built.
freakindawgen
Single-Sixer
Hondo44
Hawkeye
This program is not specific to Ruger or Lipseys as other firearms manufacturers and distributors participate as well, especially Smith & Wesson and Lou Horton, etc. These special model short production runs are generically referred to as "Distributor Exclusive" models. Also occasionally large Sporting Goods stores will order exclusive models like Buckeye Sports convertible Blackhawks in .32-20/32 mag and 38-40/40 S&W.
And if I remember correctly when you see these special models on Ruger's website catalog, no price is listed but you are referred to the distributor of that particular exclusive model.
It's an excellent program in my opinion because it's a way to obtain a slightly different version of a standard model that Ruger doesn't feel worthy of regular full time production due to limited buyers. So instead of having to pay a gunsmith a custom fee to make your own special version of a standard model, you might convince a distributor to order an exclusive which will have a retail price fairly close to a standard model Ruger.
Lipseys has an employee that's a member here who gathers ideas from members and knows about current exclusives. Popular exclusive models can hold or exceed their original value on the secondary market.
Another fun way to feed our Ruger addiction!
And if I remember correctly when you see these special models on Ruger's website catalog, no price is listed but you are referred to the distributor of that particular exclusive model.
It's an excellent program in my opinion because it's a way to obtain a slightly different version of a standard model that Ruger doesn't feel worthy of regular full time production due to limited buyers. So instead of having to pay a gunsmith a custom fee to make your own special version of a standard model, you might convince a distributor to order an exclusive which will have a retail price fairly close to a standard model Ruger.
Lipseys has an employee that's a member here who gathers ideas from members and knows about current exclusives. Popular exclusive models can hold or exceed their original value on the secondary market.
Another fun way to feed our Ruger addiction!
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smith1961
Blackhawk
Some of these distributor exclusives are as simple as a different finish, barrel length or set of sights. Some of the exact gun have been produced a couple or three times by different distributors. I initiated a thread here and reached out to Jason at Lipsey's regarding a certain caliber to be chambered in a Vaquero. The thread is over a decade old with 100 entities here stating they would buy one.
The KNR4 Super Single Six stainless convertible with a 4-5/8" barrel is arguably the best New Model .22 offering ever from Ruger. But it's not catalogued, so if it wasn't for Lipsey's or others commissioning Ruger to make them once in a while, we'd never see them.
Armybrat
Buckeye
My New Vaquero .357 with 4.62" barrel is a Talo.
It came with star cut grip panels and an old style hammer.
I changed the grips to these checkered rosewoods.
It came with star cut grip panels and an old style hammer.
I changed the grips to these checkered rosewoods.
I'd like to put in my opinion of Lipsey Rugers above & beyond what significance they have as fare value.
To me, A Lipsey Ruger is one that Lipsey thought would sell when Ruger was unsure & Lipsey ordered a thousand or so to ensure that Ruger made them. Many, if not all have been a success. IMO, Lipsey is at least responsible for the introduction of:
The 44 Special mid frame flattop Blackhawks,,,, they sold well.
357 mid frame flattop Blackhawks
The 454 & 480 Ruger Bisley Blackhawks. On & On.
I could go on way beyond my knowledge of the firearms that Lipsey has prodded Ruger to make or commissioned Ruger to make special runs of that Ruger may not have ever gotten around to or even thought would sell. That in it my self is what makes Lipsey's very significant, not just in the value of a gun, but the unique models we have available today because of them. Bravo Lipsey.
Some Lipsey special orders may have a high value due the low number made & Ruger not recognizing or having the ability at the time to double or quadruple the number of units made.
If Ruger doesn't have their ear to wall at Lipsey's they should, maybe even hiring Lipsey's as marketing consultants. They are that much of a force in the market IMO.
To me, A Lipsey Ruger is one that Lipsey thought would sell when Ruger was unsure & Lipsey ordered a thousand or so to ensure that Ruger made them. Many, if not all have been a success. IMO, Lipsey is at least responsible for the introduction of:
The 44 Special mid frame flattop Blackhawks,,,, they sold well.
357 mid frame flattop Blackhawks
The 454 & 480 Ruger Bisley Blackhawks. On & On.
I could go on way beyond my knowledge of the firearms that Lipsey has prodded Ruger to make or commissioned Ruger to make special runs of that Ruger may not have ever gotten around to or even thought would sell. That in it my self is what makes Lipsey's very significant, not just in the value of a gun, but the unique models we have available today because of them. Bravo Lipsey.
Some Lipsey special orders may have a high value due the low number made & Ruger not recognizing or having the ability at the time to double or quadruple the number of units made.
If Ruger doesn't have their ear to wall at Lipsey's they should, maybe even hiring Lipsey's as marketing consultants. They are that much of a force in the market IMO.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Gunzo,
Couldn't agree more! Even if they were only responsible for the Lipseys 44 Spl midsize flattop (55 years overdue) and the 44 Spl New Vaquero sheriffs model!!!
Couldn't agree more! Even if they were only responsible for the Lipseys 44 Spl midsize flattop (55 years overdue) and the 44 Spl New Vaquero sheriffs model!!!
carbonfibrebob
Single-Sixer
I am currently on the lookout for a Lipseys model. Custom Shop SR1911, 10mm, 4.25" bobtail
I have a Lipsey's Ruger No 1 in .257 Wby with a 28" barrel. One of those things that I just had to have any really have no reason why. I like it though. One of these days I will have to chrono some loads.
