When the owners of Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) wanted to expand with a brick-and-mortar firearms showcase, they went big—Texas big.
The company’s new 90,000-square-foot facility opened in December 2023 and is designed as a state-of-the-art destination for the enjoyment of fine-gun collecting, with 19,000 square feet devoted to preview-day exhibition space.
Located in Bedford, between Dallas and Fort Worth, the new site was created to host its version of the ultimate gun show atmosphere on preview days, with everything offered on view.
According to Joel Kolander, RIAC’s Interactive Production Manager, the plan was also “To help give firearms their place among other high-end collectibles auctions,” like art and automobiles. The fine-gun community, he said, “has long deserved a true headquarters to showcase firearms.”
The expansion meets another business goal for RIAC, which still has its larger operation in Rock Island, Illinois: If politics and legislation make gun commerce increasingly difficult, Texas is a good place to grow.
In February the new operation opened with a Sporting & Collector Auction that grossed $7.7 million. A May Premier Auction, for rare, unusual and highly collectible firearms, grossed $25.7 million.
The Bedford facility is expected to host six of the company’s 18 or more auctions each year. Kolander said the space can host more than 500 bidders and spectators. Virtual attendance is much larger, and there were around 10,000 pre-sale sealed bids for the Premier Auction and thousands more bidding online and watching a live stream with high-quality audio and several camera angles.
RIAC also plans to use the facility for event hosting—a gathering place for exhibitions and book signings and for diverse firearms communities like collectors’ groups.
Auctions scheduled for Bedford include Premier Auctions from August 23 to 25 and December 6 to 8 and a Sporting & Collector Auction from October 4 to 6.
For more information, visit rockislandauction.com.
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