[Josey]

I went to a firearms estate auction today. Most items went for real world prices. Thhere was a Colt Lawmam MKIII snubbie for sale. I would rate it as 40% or less as condition. The wood grips were grain swollen from moisture, nickel was lost, worn and peeling, the cylinder was loose and showed bad side wobble from lock-up and the action didn't pass inspection for timing. This "gem" sold for $310.00 and fees. :what: Anybody else seen this kind of insanity at auctions?

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

The few firearms I have seen at estate auctions were either outright junk or suitable for cannibalization for their few remaining parts and sold for inflated prices, or were junk, or third-line manufacturers, and sold for inflated prices. I must speculate that either the surviving family members (or the auctioneer) has sifted through the wheat and left the chaff.

By the way, if you want a Colt Lawman I saw a 95% one at my friendly local gunstore for $350 yesterday. In the box.


Regards,
Rabbit.

[lee n. field]

You have to be _really_ aware of the actual value of what you bid on at an auction.

You can get deals. I remember an auction where a 10/22, laminated stock, heavy barrel, stainless, with scope, went for $200. I still regret dropping out on that one, but I was saving up for something else at the time.

But then there's the time a FEG PA-63 (shotgun news price ~$100), went for ~$325. :D

[Brad Johnson]

I also went to an estate auction today and saw two Ruger 10/22's (which you can buy brank spankin' new for $150-$170) sell for $225. Each. And there were ten or twelve generic old police turn-in model 10 Smiths that sold for over $250.

I won't even mention the very, very, very beat up .45 LC Ruger Vaquero that went for $400 or the Model 94 .30-30 (non-desireable year) that was bid up to $375.

It just goes to show you that people get a little wierd when they get in a bidding frenzy. And gun owners aren't the worst - you should see a bunch of Beany Baby collectors at an auction. They abso-frickin-lutely lose their minds!

Brad

[Battlespace]

My first auction story is a Model 12, 16 Ga. I had wondered off as I figured it would go for $450 to $550. When I heard "sold for $100.00" I about had a fit. I tried to buy it from the buyer for $150. He knew the value and would not even talk to me for less than $500.

The next one was a Model 870, 12 ga. Stock looked like some had beat his dog with it. Bluing was about shot. Sit down - it went for $650! I could not believe it. I had started the bidding at $25 as a sort of favor to the auctioner, who is a friend. There were two guys there who just took off with it.

Most guns at auctions go well over what their value actually is.

[5x5]

I went to an auction about a month back. A guy bought a SAR1 with an 8x scope for $650. I told him later and his response was that it was for his wife. She didn't shoot guns but liked to look at them hanging on the wall!:rolleyes:

[thumbtack]

I would like to go to a firearm auction, does anyone know of any in the DFW area?

[The_Antibubba]

Perhaps the cost is affected by the "Gun Show" effect. Is the auctioneer in every state required to transfer a firearm as would a FFL, or is it a private sale, with no paperwork?

Also, live auctions make people pay more for an item than they normally (when rational) would-they just get caught up in the action.

[LoneStranger]

My best story is about the auction that I regurarly go to where they bid a Hi-Point 9mm to $210. Yes, it was the plain jane, bare bones model. At that time you could pick them up for approx. $100 depending on your dicker skills.

At most auctions most people have way more money than what they know what to do with.

[ID_shooting]

I used to go to auctions but have since stopped. You used to be able to get good deals but now the dealers all go to the auctions. They show up with deep pockets and will iether out bid all the little people or run the prices so high you might as well just go to a shop and pay full retail.

This started happening at the auto auction as well. Really boils my water :fire:

[client32]

Non functioning Jennings .380 - If memory serves ~$300

On the other hand Browning Auto 5 ~$200

[sturmruger]

The few auctions I have been to the guns all seemed to be way over priced. I don't bother anymore. If it was all guys like you and me there might be a little ryme or reason to how people were bidding. Many times I see gun get bid up to crazy prices. I usually just shake my head and leave.

[Red_SC]

My wife's family runs an auction, but they don't sell guns. I wish they would. I guess auctions for guns are like the rest of the auctions, it depends on who is there that day. If there is a big crowd you can go back home, but catch a small crowd there on a rainy day and you can get some amazing deals.

[waynzwld]

Along time ago, I went to an auction where there were some guns being auctioned off. I was lucky in that I paid a little less than the going price on a Ruger Blackhawk. The other idiot bidding against me, gave up about the time the price was $20 less than it would sell for used anywhere else. But I know what you mean about people getting crazy, there was a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and when the bidding on it was over, someone paid $395 for a plain-jane, common lever action with a VERY rusty bore, only about 50% of the bluing left and a set of very beat-up wood.

Absolutly Amazing!