With hunting season just around the corner, attending a local gun auction can be a great way to add a new firearm, scope, or ammunition to your collection. Here at the Dakil warehouse in Oklahoma City, we host gun auctions throughout the year where novices and experts alike can find anything from hunting rifles and home defense weapons to antique collectibles and targets. For those who have never attended a gun auction, the environment may seem intimidating, but knowing the answers to a few key questions will prepare you for a productive day.
At Dakil’s Oklahoma gun auctions, everyone is welcome to attend and any adult over the age of 18 without a felony on record can buy a gun. Of course, proper documentation and permitting must be obtained in order to own, operate, and legally carry certain firearms, but generally speaking, our gun auctions are accessible to all. While it’s not an ideal environment for children (other auction-goers will thank you for leaving the kiddos at home), you don’t have to be an expert to show up and enjoy the experience. You should, however, bring a few items that will help you get the most bang for your buck.
On auction day, the intangibles can make the most difference: confidence and a firm bidding limit will serve you well. Be bold enough to make eye contact with the auctioneer, but know the limits of how much you’re willing to pay. This will help you avoid getting caught up in the moment and ultimately feel buyer’s remorse. In terms of items to bring along, we recommend a small magnifying glass, a small flashlight or pen light, and reference material. The Blue Book of Gun Values is a valuable resource to have during the inspection period which typically occurs just before the auction begins. Arrive early, observe the guns for sale, and thoroughly inspect the ones that interest you. Refer to our original Gun Auctions post for more details on what to bring.
What you can expect to find depends on whether the auction is a liquidation of a business or collection of consignors. If we are liquidating a business, you can expect to find a wide variety of firearms and related items: long arms, short arms, antique guns, various parts, scopes, targets, and ammunition. In an auction comprised of individual consignors’ inventories and guns from private estates, you’re more likely to find unique items and collectibles. Our gun auctions have featured hunting rifles and shotguns, weapons from World War II, assault-style rifles, and a plethora of collectors’ firearms.
Just about anyone can sell through an auction. While Dakil tends to work with private estates, occasionally our gun auctions are open to individual consignors, in which case you’d simply call us and set up your sale.
Typically, guns sold at auction are purchased “as-is,” which means a gun can be in any condition and the buyer assumes the risk and responsibility of any defects. Many of the guns we sell are well taken care of and still in pristine condition, but in the case of a liquidation or sale of antiques, anything goes.
If you check the listing for our upcoming gun auctions, you’ll notice the “Absolute” notation. This means items are sold “as is,” “where is,” with no guarantees and no warranties: the seller agrees to sell the item no matter the highest bid and the winning buyer agrees to pay the bid price that day. The inspection period is the buyer’s opportunity to thoroughly examine what they’re bidding on and mitigate risks. Conversely, “Reserve” auctions allow for the seller to either set a minimum price or choose not to sell if the item doesn’t reach a certain bid. Every auction at Dakil (with the exception of certain real estate auctions) operates on an Absolute basis.
Whether it’s your first or fifteenth auction, with a little preparation, you can take advantage of a great opportunity to find a treasure of a gun. Remember, opening day for dove season is September 1st. If you’re in the market for a new-to-you hunting rifle or just want to look at some unique collector’s items, stop by our upcoming gun auction. We’ll be glad to have you. To learn more, visit our Oklahoma gun auctions information page.
