The Reserve Price is the minimum the seller will take. Two ways to list the item for auction, basic and reserve. Basic means the starting price is the least the seller will take, and reserve is when this minimum is a secret until someone bids that amount and "reserve price met" appears on the screen. I don't like reserve auctions.
If you see a gun you want, figure out what the absolute highest price is that you will pay. Take that figure and deduct shipping and transfer fees (if you don't have FFL one will have to receive the gun and "sell" it to you). What is left is the max amount you can bid to buy the gun at your price. Bid that much. One of three things will happen. 1: You buy the gun at your price and you're happy. 2: Someone else buys the gun at a higher price and you find another. Still happy because you didn't pay too much. 3: You fail to reach the reserve and you look for another gun to bid on because this guy is asking way too much. Again, still happy.
Simple, no? I have bought about a half-dozen guns at auction and it's great fun. Got a S&W M10 for $60. A Colt Police Positive Special for $85. If you keep trying you will find good deals. But make sure you have an FFL lined up to do the transfer and know what all costs will be up front before bidding. Good luck.