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I am planning on attending the gun show in Pasadena this weekend, but have never been to one. I was wondering if there is anything I should plan on, being a show first timer. My basic questions are:

Is it cash only?
I am possibly looking to sell or trade a gun, so do I need to bring anything to show proof of ownership?
Is Saturday or Sunday the best day to go?
And other questions along those lines...

I feel a little embarrased asking, but I grew up in a state that didn't have them.

Some dealers accept credit cards, but you'll always pay more than cash.

If you want to sell, just get it zip-tied at the door.

The earlier the better. It gets crowded, and the good deals are going to go fast. (I never found anything I wanted to buy at that show. I haven't been to it for about a year.)

This show is 30.06 posted (despite being in a government-owned building), and they have off-duty cops at the door.

- Jim

Do you think it will be a good place for my wife to handle a lot of different guns? Or is it mostly knives, ammo, collectables, etc?

A couple of dealers have a lot of handguns and their prices seem decent (I'm assuming you're asking about handguns). This show generally has more space devoted to firearms than junk. So, yeah.

But handle is all you can do. It's too crowded to sight a weapon in a normal way, and few if any dealers will let you dry fire.

- Jim

That'll work for us. We're just looking for something to fit her hand. And while we're at it....she could use a shotgun so she won't steal mine for duck hunting...might be an expensive day.

I haven't seen good shotgun values there. However, most of the dealers will bargain, and some will even lower the price without your asking if you seem interested in a piece.

Good luck.

- Jim
[Edited to correct typo]

agbullet2k1 wrote:I am planning on attending the gun show in Pasadena this weekend, but have never been to one. I was wondering if there is anything I should plan on, being a show first timer. My basic questions are:

Is it cash only?
I am possibly looking to sell or trade a gun, so do I need to bring anything to show proof of ownership?
Is Saturday or Sunday the best day to go?
And other questions along those lines...

I feel a little embarrased asking, but I grew up in a state that didn't have them.

No...Some vendors swipe plastic a lot...

No...

Both days...

Never feel embarrased, you are amoungst good friends now...

Hey, I'll be there...what are you selling?

agbullet2k1 wrote:I am planning on attending the gun show in Pasadena this weekend, but have never been to one. I was wondering if there is anything I should plan on, being a show first timer. My basic questions are:

Is it cash only?
I am possibly looking to sell or trade a gun, so do I need to bring anything to show proof of ownership?
Is Saturday or Sunday the best day to go?
And other questions along those lines...

I feel a little embarrased asking, but I grew up in a state that didn't have them.

No, most times 3% for CC
No, and pm me what you are selling
Saturday, early as possible

Expect to be disappointed with all cash or trade offers from dealers.

Understand going in that you will do best selling to an individual.

The show tries to discourage deals being struck outside or in the foyer, but it still happens.

Once inside the show, you will get many inquiries about your item.

A legible sign with the price indicated clearly will help greatly.

You might do better if you just posted your item in the classifieds here.

Go by Bachman Pawn and AJC Sports for prices first. I have bought about a dozen between them over the years. They have really good prices. It gets really crowded in there as it is a small center so be prepared to be jostled around. Sometimes you cant get up an aisle. You need no proof of anything to sell and will have people constantly asking you about anything you are carrying. Individuals will give you more money on average. I bought an AK for $175 there a few years ago and was walking around still looking when a guy offered me 300 for it. I was joking and said no but I will take 350 and he went for it.

Good advice so far. So here's another question. How do I go about setting a price for my gun? I know there's supposed to be a blue book thing somewhere, but am having trouble finding it. The only way I'd actually part with it this weekend is if the wife finds something she wants to carry, or if I make a good bit off of it. I'm not just selling to clear space.

There are a couple of price guides. Shooter's Bible is the best known.

What I do is go to http://www.auctionarms.com/ and search for closed auctions on the item. (You have to register to do this, but registration will cause you no spam or other problems.)

Be sure to look for closed auctions with more than one bid. If there's a single bid, it is often the seller's starting price.

You might get $50 more in a FTF sale than the bids on AuctionArms, because those buyers are taking into account the shipping and receiving FFL fees.

- Jim

Mike1951 wrote:A legible sign with the price indicated clearly will help greatly.

You might do better if you just posted your item in the classifieds here.

That will definitely help if your price is reasonable.

It's funny how many people expect more for their used gun than AJC or Bachman charges for a new one.

The show was crummy. Last Pasadena one for me, the Houston ones are 3x bigger.
Managed to walk out with 3 evil rifles, but nothing close to a steal.
beater SKS’s for 300+
Nagant 1895 revolvers for 140?
M91’s for 165?
Makarovs for 350?
FEG PA-60’s for 220?
Seriously. I have to assume most of these dealers have never heard of the internet or live ted kazinski (sp) style.