July 31, 2022Sunday Gunday – How to Acquire Firearms of Great Quality at Gun Auctions
It is easy to fall in love with rare showpiece rifles at auctions. However, the author warns readers to stick to their plan and not go crazy.
“They’re crazy!” Live gun auctions are a common topic. People love to rant about how they pay too much for too many guns at too few auctions. It’s natural. It’s wrong. I have been attending live gun auctions for over a decade, sometimes 40 per year. I have learned that not every item sells for a ridiculous price. However, many sell for fair money. I bought a competition-grade STI 1911 in perfect condition for $670 at a live sale. At the height of the gun-buying frenzy, I was able to score a rare Ansch?tz 54.18 MSR in excellent condition for $1,800. Two weeks later, I flipped the Ansch?tz for $3,000 This $1200 profit is 66% — not bad for a little savvy buying at an auction.
This gorgeous SAKO L461 Vixen was an excellent auction buy… and it is also half-MOA accurate.
You can score a great deal at a live auction. Absolutely. Above is a.222 Rem SAKO L461 vixen I bought at auction for $1500.00, which included Leupold VariX II 3-9x40mm scope. The stock is highly-figured. My SAKO L461 model is the “deluxe” model, with rosewood grip cap and forearm tip. A similar.222 Rem SAKOL46 (below), with plain wood (and no scope), is available at the Custom Shop in Montana, a Montana purveyor for fine firearms. It’s currently on sale for $3995.95. * My SAKO was purchased at 38% off the Custom Shop price SAKO enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the L461 comes with a 5-shot internal magazine, while the L46 has a 3-round removable clips. Most people believe that the L461 has a better trigger than the L461. This is proof that live auctions can bring some amazing bargains.
Can you make a mistake or not? Yes, I have bought junk and paid too high for it. But I have learned that knowledge is the best defense against gun buying errors. This is our next topic. Know the Auctions
It takes some research to find live auctions, especially during the pandemic. However, estates must be settled and collections need to be reduced. Guns also need to sold. Check out your local newspaper and the shoppers guide. Use online auction search services like AuctionZip.com. Once you have found an auction, make sure to read the rules. Some auctioneers conduct background checks. Some don’t. Some charge sales tax. Some don’t. Some charge a “buyer’s premium”. Some don’t. Ask.
It’s easy to get swept up in all the beautiful-looking hardware at all-gun auctions. But impulse purchases at auctions are the worst. Learn about the guns, do your research and be aware of potential pitfalls. Some Winchester 52s are susceptible to the “crack-of-death”. Some Brownings in the late 60s and early 1970s are affected by “salt wood”. Know which ones.
Auction novices often worry a lot about how they will bid. I know I did. But don’t. Don’t forget to mention that it is the job of the auctioneer for you to place your bid. Once a good auctioneer spots your bid, you won’t be lost. Don’t be shy. The auctioneer will likely begin the bidding at a reasonable amount. He’ll then go down until someone actually bids. Then he will go up again. Once you are ready to jump in, raise you hand and make sure that the auctioneer spots your hand. If you aren’t sure, shout something. (“Here!” Works fine. Don’t worry about technique after that. You can just say yes or no next time the auctioneer comes up to you. (Ziegler Auction photo Nathan Merkel) One important point to remember: The auctioneer’s price is what he wants, not what he has. If you have bid $250, the auctioneer will then call for the next increment, such as $300, $300, or $300. You could end up bidding against yourself if you don’t understand the process. It’s unlikely that 99% of auctioneers will allow it to happen, but it can still be embarrassing.
Auction fever is a lot like buck fever. While your heart is singing “Wipe Out”, you struggle to remain still. Before bidding begins, you must agree with yourself the maximum price you will bid for a gun. It is crucial to ensure that the maximum price you bid for a gun reflects the true cost of the purchase, including background check fees and sales tax. First, you don’t want your mortgage money to go to waste, but also because there are always other opportunities. I went to an outdoor auction last fall in the hope of finding a great deal on a Mauser-made K98k with numbers-matching features. Ha! The gun sold for $3,200 despite the fact that there were only 50 bidders. (I bailed at $1.500.
Is this the K98k which sold for $1,200 Or $3,200 Or $3,200? I was able to purchase a Mauser-made, numbers matching K98k for $1,200. That’s a difference of almost $2,000. Crazy? Yes… Crazy good. *Custom Shop, Inc. is featured on “The Gunfather” TV Show on Outdoor Channel. Custom Shop is located in Hamilton, Montana and has hundreds of rare and collectible guns, including high-end rifles and pistols. Custom Shop, Inc. is an Authorized Colt Dealer.
Similar Posts:Tags: Auction Bidding, David Buffington, Live Auction, Mauser K98k, Rifle Auctions, SAKO L461
