Went to my first gun auction

[JRWhit]

Well it was interesting to say the least. There were approx, 300+ guns auctioning,and while there where some good deals to be had they were in small quantity. I was amazed at how many used guns got sold at 100-200 over the retail on a new piece. I was fully prepared to stay away from the AR,AK,and anything tactical,but I'm referring to rifles and hand guns that I know to be in stock locally at well under they sold for. Just an example, I watched a Ruger 22/45 markIII used get ran up to $800.00 and a markIII hunter all stainless get ran up to $900. I bought my 22/45 for around $350 NIB.
I had a couple of Ruger Redhawks in 44 mag. I was waiting to bid on. Both were at what I would consider to be half life. The cylinders on both were sloppy in cocked position,but still fire able,and both completely scratched and scuffed from one end to the other. Holster wear would be a bit of an understatement. The one with the six inch barrel quickly drove up to $900 . Quite a bit of time passed before the other one came up and the room got a little emptier. It was only a 4in. I managed to get a couple of bids in on it but soon got out of the way as it took off to $800. I know retail on these can be from $900 to $1200 I can see a used piece in excellent condition bringing $800 or $900 but these just didn't qualify.
I did finally end up with something to fill my hands while I walked out the door. I bought a NIB Weatherby Vanguard 2 chambered for 300 Weatherby magnum. Not what I was specifically after but a nice rifle with a little longer legs than my 30-06.
I had my heart set on a Rem 700 chambered in 22-250,but that thing ended up at over $1000.00
To any auction goers, is this typical or was I just in with an oddball crowd?

 

[shuvelrider]

I've seen average abused common guns (sporting) go for silly prices at estate sale auctions , some would qualify as a barn gun for their condition. It's the need to win the bid plus the current scare on the gun scene. Like they say " A fool and his money is soon parted"

 

[SiteManager]

I love to go to gun auctions but seldom find a really good deal. With the internet on every phone in the crowd, prices usually end up about where they should be or a little higher.

Haven't been to an auction since the panic started because there really haven't been any listed in my area. What I usually try to do is find a weekend where there is a gun auction on the same day as an estate auction with just a few but interesting guns. Less competition = good deals.

 

[Big Nugget]

Before all of the recent events I've been hard pressed to see any gun go for under retail. Now I only consider going to auctions to watch all the nut jobs with more money than they know what to do with "battle" it out.

Like SiteManager said, if you go to one make sure there are others going on at the same time. If its outside, and the weather is cold and/or wet less people may show increasing your chances. But all it takes is one nut with a cash roll to ruin your day.

 

[we are not amused]

The last gun auction I went was almost three years ago. But of those I have gone to, the results were very mixed. I bought a C96 Mauser Pistol for $250, admittedly rather rough, but shoots well, a SKS rifle, (Viet-nam era Chinese) for about $300, an unmodified 1898 Krag-Jorgansen carbine for $450, a .45-70 Springfield Trapdoor for $700, a .38 Spl. revolver for $99, a flintlock replica for $90, and a 1911 clone for more than it was probably worth. (although less than it would sell for today).

Overall, I think I did very well at those auctions, especially as I was up against buyers with smart phones and off site assistants, but then I was going there with no expectation that I would buy anything, and probably took advantage of going after guns no one else was much interested in. I saw some very good deals that I passed on, because I either already had a similar gun or was simply not interested in. The prices on Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers are in my opinion crazy, and I want to go to auctions with lots of those guns, because every one spends all their money on them, leaving me to pick up what I want cheaply.

I had the advantage in that I was not wanting to buy guns for resale, but for own use. I passed up several good buys simply because I wasn't interested in them, I also dropped out of bidding and refused to bid on many guns, simply because I didn't like the price. I have left more than one auction with out buying a thing because of price.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I stopped going to them around these parts a couple years ago as they were always solidly at or above retail especially when the buyers fees were added.

Weird environment. No deal, seldom rare, usually beat-up and mandatory paperwork left me scratching my head.