Just wondering about the price....

I'm bidding on a Brand New Condition (still with Browning sticker on barrel) Browning A-bolt, Walnut stocked "Hunter" version in 12 Gauge on it's own without box or papers. What would you say the winning Auction price should be?

 

Okay, so over 100 views on this, and not ONE thought on price? I didn't expect that. The auction is over, and I won (bought) 2 of these. I paid $3750 for TWO Browning A-Bolt 12 Ga. Hunter versions. One still Brand New with Barrel sticker, and one used, but almost perfect with a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x32 scope. Just curious as to how many are going to tell me I overpaid now that it's done? lol

 

I didn't realize that gun existed, so definitely had no pre-existing idea of what those two would be worth. Is the scope a VX-3 2.5-8x36 instead of 32? (I think the 32 mm is a handgun scope.) If so, it'd probably bring $300 - $400 on Ebay (the best place to sell nice used scopes like Leupold), so that should be calculated into the overall value of your purchase.

Looking on GB, the few used A-Bolt shotguns that have sold seem to have brought between $800 used to $1350 or so (by the time you pay the fees and shipping), but I'm not sure how the various models factor in, not sure which, if any, of them are the Hunter model and how the values compare, or how to value a new one vs. a used one.

 

I don't know anything about any A bolt shotgun but you definitely overpaid. Happy now?

 

If you are happy with them, that's all that matters.

 

Yes, I'm VERY happy, and yes, it IS a 2.5-8 X 36, not 32, my typo. The Hunter model is the one with a Walnut stock. If you want to read an interesting gun story, look up the history on these guns, and then IF you can find one going for sale, you'll see why I bought two, and paid so much. I definitely don't think I overpaid, and am sure they will hold every bit of their value in the future. As long as I'm still able to own them in NY...

 

if you want it get it, and you did. cool. if you want to process buyers remorse, search sold items on gunbroker and see what others just paid for similar things. time looking is also money, so - the best price isn't always the best if it costs you more in time to wait and look forever to find it. sometimes the value of being done, is priceless.

 

First I saw this post otherwise I would have contributed. Not much but I would have said they are worth over $1000 in nearly any condition. I have never seen a NIB one sold though so could give no insight on that.

Those are premium slug guns though I have no clue how well they shoot. Getting one kitted out with a nice scope is a real plus and one in NIB condition has to be very scarce. They haven’t been made in years and as such are very neat items.

 

If it is something you wanted and you are happy with the price what I think should not matter. Paying a premium price for something you want is not bad, as long as you have the money.

 

The wood-stocked one does look nice, like a nice rifle, just chambered in 12 gauge.

 

So a little about these guns. Our local County Sheriff was a great guy who supported the 2nd Amendment and showed up at as many NRA and local Fish and Game club dinners as possible over the years. He was in Law Enforcement since 1970, and passed away suddenly last year from complications in surgery. These were two of his long gun collections. The local auction house did two separate auctions of his firearms. The first was a handgun auction. There was almost 175 handguns, and despite bidding on several, I was outbid on them. There was one particular bidder who paid top dollar for his guns, and won an impressive 95 handguns in the auctions. I haven't found out why or who that bidder was, but several were bid over what you could buy the guns new for. They didn't seem so voracious on the long gun auction, and there was about 63 long guns. I was outbid on two others early on, and put all my resources into these two shotguns, due to their condition, scarcity, and desirability. We cannot hunt with a rifle here in my county, and so I'm mostly a handgun hunter, because I'm more accurate at 100 yards with my handguns than any shotgun I presently own. And if I wanted a long gun to hunt with, I'd use one of my black powders.
That being said, from everything I've heard about these guns, I saw it as an opportunity and an investment. My plan is to hopefully shoot the one with the scope, and if it works as well as the hype, I will have a shotgun I can feel confident in carrying afield. The one that is new, (unfortunately I did NOT get the box) I plan on selling at some point in the future, and I will ask $2500 for it. If the shooter does not perform better than any other shotgun, I will sell that as well, and I'm sure I will always make my money back on them.
Plus, I've always wanted a Browning...

 

There is no such thing as overpaying in an auction. It's simply paying the current bid, which may be more or less than what is paid elsewhere. It not like these particular guns are found in every corner store. Glad you got ones you wanted.

Personally as a long time hunter in a shotgun deer state, I've seen and used my share of shotgun setups. Those are probably the prettiest sluggers around. I'm not sure how excited I would be to have the scope mounted that far back like a standard rifle. Those of us using optics tended to stick with cantilevers and LER scopes to be safe from the 'equal-n-opposite reaction' of an ounce plus of lead down the pipe at 1600.

 

Illinoisburt, if you've ever watched Clint Eastwood movies, you'll know what I mean when I say I prefer my handguns over my shotguns...I never said I hadn't USED a shotgun! lol I started hunting with a Mossberg bolt action in 1980. Smooth bores and Foster slugs were all we knew... So I've grown up (almost) on everything from bolt actions, to break actions with plastic sights clamped on the barrel, to over/unders with sights clamped on the vent ribs, to the dawn of the popularity of rifled slug barrels, to pumps and semi's. I'm surprised I don't have a permanent crescent moon on my forehead like Harry Potter... But I DO feel confident about this setup. All tucked in with a clear sight picture, there's 5" of eye relief here, so I'll give it a shot when I get the chance. My biggest obstacle right now besides time to get to the range, is all my other sluggers were 20 Ga. !!! I don't think I HAVE any 12 ga. slugs! Now I have to make a trip to the local shop, and who knows what trouble I could find there...

 

At first I thought this thread was a typo....also never knew these existed.
Very cool shotguns, and nice score.

 

I own a couple A bolts. But like many, I didn’t know they made them chambered in 12 gauge.

kool find!!!

 

Beautiful guns there.

 

So here's a little Post Script for everyone who likes a Happy Ending... I took the one with the Scope mounted to the range today. After the first 3 shots, I moved the sights to the left 3 clicks , and took 6 more shots... I've NEVER shot a shotgun that grouped like that before! (That's a 6" sticker @ 100yds). The recoil seemed to be mild and "absorbed" by the gun... I'm a Happy Boy....

 

A-Bolt shotguns, Santa Claus & the M&M Guys, they do exist! Have fun with them!

 

I have read about them, but I haven’t ever seen an A-bolt shotgun. Very nice dual score!

As for craziness at a gun auction, you see all sorts of regret at auctions that follow a lengthy happy hour and dinner. Whisky and ego conspire to get some guys going absolutely bonkers when the auctioneer starts.

Stay safe.

 

Nice group! I know my shotgun does not shoot like yours. Congratulations on your winning at the auction.