Buying a firearm.

MymuttBear · Nov 18, 2025

I've been looking at a couple of different firearms on Gunbroker, probably against my better judgement

It's interesting watching and trying to analyze people through their bidding activity on guns I am interested in.

I have a maximum bid amount, a price that won't give me buyers remorse like the Colt .22 Diamondback I just had to have. When I spot something I would like I save it in my watch list and then look for others available and take into account taxes, cc fees, shipping etc and work out my max bid based on that. One firearm I was bidding on, and stopped when it got to my max, went for more than others that had a buy it now option when you factor in the above, which got me thinking about peoples mindset.

Looking at bid history on a gun I'm bidding on you see multiple bids from one person trying to get in front of the highest bidder, then it's a back and forth until one wins out. Sort of like a game of chicken where the winner gets a shot of endorphins and the loser kicks the cat, metaphorically speaking.

I got the bidding bug when ebay was a real auction site and not another online buy it now store, where watching the item time count down, finger hovering over the keyboard with your next bid loaded just in case someone else had their beady eyes glued to the screen gave you a thrill that the item you "needed" was seconds away from being yours and damn the expense!

I'm sure psychologists would recognize that human trait and be able to put a name to it.

Now back to watching and deciding on that revolver I'm trying to justify owning.

Alexx1401 · Nov 18, 2025

MymuttBear said:
I've been looking at a couple of different firearms on Gunbroker, probably against my better judgement It's interesting watching and trying to analyze people through their bidding activity on guns I am interested in.

I have a maximum bid amount, a price that won't give me buyers remorse like the Colt .22 Diamondback I just had to have. When I spot something I would like I save it in my watch list and then look for others available and take into account taxes, cc fees, shipping etc and work out my max bid based on that. One firearm I was bidding on, and stopped when it got to my max, went for more than others that had a buy it now option when you factor in the above, which got me thinking about peoples mindset.

Looking at bid history on a gun I'm bidding on you see multiple bids from one person trying to get in front of the highest bidder, then it's a back and forth until one wins out. Sort of like a game of chicken where the winner gets a shot of endorphins and the loser kicks the cat, metaphorically speaking.

I got the bidding bug when ebay was a real auction site and not another online buy it now store, where watching the item time count down, finger hovering over the keyboard with your next bid loaded just in case someone else had their beady eyes glued to the screen gave you a thrill that the item you "needed" was seconds away from being yours and damn the expense!

I'm sure psychologists would recognize that human trait and be able to put a name to it.

Now back to watching and deciding on that revolver I'm trying to justify owning.

The "best way" is look, set a price you are happy with, bid. If you win great. If not? Pick another. As long as you are setting realistic prices on what you are trying to buy you should end up with one sooner or later and not over pay. There is a LOT of them floating around out there. Guy I used to work with scored some real nice deals back in the day when we could still sell face to face. He would bid a lot of stuff. Win one now and then and every so often head off to a show. Often sold some for enough to enjoy the fun.

Bobbygun · Nov 18, 2025

MymuttBear said:
I got the bidding bug when ebay was a real auction site and not another online buy it now store, where watching the item time count down, finger hovering over the keyboard with your next bid loaded just in case someone else had their beady eyes glued to the screen gave you a thrill that the item you "needed" was seconds away from being yours and damn the expense!

I feel this in my soul. I've never signed up or used Gun Broker, but I've bid on ebay a few times. It is amazing the effect bidding has on me. I suppose I learned my lesson a couple of months ago when I wasn't home when the auction ended for the golf driver shaft I was bidding on. I was really disappointed when someone scooped it away at the last second and I wasn't there to counter. Then, I found the exact same item for about $20 cheaper in a "buy it now" listing. Let's just say I was a lot less disappointed after finding that out and try not to get too invested in any auction.

Boyandhisdogs · Nov 18, 2025

I have scored some good deals on Ebay, and bidding can be exciting, but when I look on gunbroker I see used guns being sold for new prices (or more) by the time you factor in shipping, taxes, fees, etc. Just to buy sight unseen with no warranty or recourse.

If it was something rare and this was the only way to get its not so bad, but I just dont see the deals.

jbett98 · Nov 18, 2025

Take a look at a Hillsboro, Oregon gun seller called "Jack The Dog."
Talk about overpriced bidding. There are some collectors that have a lot more money then I'll ever have to spend on a firearm you wouldn't want to shoot and have it drop in value.

JACKTHEDOG Auctions At GunAuction.Com

JACKTHEDOG Auctions at GunAuction.com

www.gunauction.com

Knobgoblin · Nov 18, 2025

You should attend a couple live auctions.
It's better than going to the movies.
In person bidding wars are common.
If the one ( or both ) dudes bidding an item up are sitting with their chick , some really poor decisions can be the result.

arakboss · Nov 18, 2025

Knobgoblin said:
You should attend a couple live auctions.
It's better than going to the movies.
In person bidding wars are common.
If the one ( or both ) dudes bidding an item up are sitting with their chick , some really poor decisions can be the result.

Or watch storage wars.