Gun Log? Do you keep one?

[carolinaman]

Hi there all,

With the holiday's upon us and the number of B&E's on the rise around here, I thought that it might be a good idea to start a log for all of my firearms, i.e. for police reports and homeowner's insurance.

Does anyone have a good template for the ole computer that I can use to create a log?

I need the type of firearm, purchase date, estimated value, serial number and what else?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[xring44]

Good idea,,I have mine hand writen on a legal pad,,,somewhere
I'll follow and learn..

 

[2k5Adam]

I created a really simple word spreadsheet that you guys can edit.

 

[Hawken50]

Point Blank free balistic software has one built in, but you should probably print it off. if they're gonna steal your guns they'll probably take your computer too.

 

[Ala Dan]

I keep a hand written one, in a lined notebook that is in a secure location.

 

[stealthmode]

I actually just made an inventory last night so if anything happens my family knows what i have and who gets what.

 

[Kharn]

I keep two bound books, one for C&Rs, one for the rest of my guns.

Kharn

 

[HSMITH]

I have mine burned on CD with pictures to represent condition and serial numbers. One is here in a secure location, another is about 20 miles away in another secure location. The one stored away from the guns is mostly for fire concerns......

 

[Rembrandt]

Picked these up at a gun show years ago, not sure if they are still available. Might give the address on the last page a try....good luck.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I have a CD ROM with a detailed spreadsheet and digital photos stored in the bank safe deposit box with my will and other important things. Mostly for insurance, but there are also some instructions for my wife on how to deal with the NFA stuff if something happens to me.

You DO have a will don't you?

 

[DSS]

I use the point blank software for my personal firearms and handload data. That is one nice program and best of all it is free!

I use the log book from the ATF for my guns in the shop.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I just did a search for Point Blank and found a page with dozens of downloads available including Point blank, reloading manuals, etc.

Here it is.

 

[MCgunner]

I had all my gun's serial numbers in a data base file many years ago on an old Tandy Color three computer. I haven't transfered to another file on a modern computer. Probably should do that. Wouldn't hurt to include a pic of each gun, both sides, too. I'd rather keep it all on a CD. I would say floppy, but this new computer doesn't have a floppy drive. Pictures are too big for floppies, anyway. I guess that's old tech, now. As slow as improvements come in firearms, a 1911 design is still a viable combat weapon, if you have a friggin' computer and operating system more than six months old, you friggin' have to update! They should take a few clues from the firearms industry.

I keep a range log with chronograph data, notes on specific guns, etc. It's the only way I can keep up with all the friggin' guns I have, where they shoot with what load, now they shoot, etc, etc. I could include a print copy of the above info in that book. My guns are constantly changing, or anyway have in the past. I'm pretty settled on my collection now, though, and updating every time I go to a gun show is no longer really necessary, especially since I'm going through, shall we say, an income transition right now and can't buy squat. But, at least I won't be ridding myself of anything. I like all the guns I have now, or most of 'em, for one reason or another. So a data base would probably remain pretty stable.

 

[jer1949]

For rembrant's book, go here.....

http://www.pfrb.biz/

 

[XLMiguel]

I keep one in Excel. One page for each gun with serial no., date purchased, price paid, from whom, caliber/capacity, picture, list of mods/accessories/upgrades, and log of rounds fired by brand and type. I also keep an ammo inventory. The first page is a list of all guns in the armory with a summary of rounds through. When a gun gets traded/sold, it's moved to the back of the book.

 

[22-rimfire]

I keep one as it becomes impossible to remember a lot of the little details. Key information is Model, Serial Number, Purchase Date, Caliber, Barrel Length, Finish, Source (where ya bought it), Purchase Price, Approximate value (yr), Box and Paperwork?, Accessories, Fed Form Completed?, "Other Info".

A notation is added if a firearm is sold or traded, and to whom if I have the information. Also the date sold is added.

The information is backed up on CD's and a printed hard copy is maintained just in case. I think its a good idea to maintain records. If you die, there is some information for those that follow after you.

 

[WT]

The authorities know what I have .............

 

[Working Man]

The authorities know what I have .............

Aint that the truth.

 

[Highland Ranger]

I'm digital . . . .

I create a file folder for evey gun. In that computer folder is:

- pictures of the gun

- scanned copy of pistol permit if applicable

- scanned copy of all receipts/other paoperwork

- if not in the above docs (usually is) tech specs on the gun; model, serial, caliber, barrel, etc. etc.

- PDF version of owners manual if available

- recently started including a breif movie of me in my home office giving a short narrative on the gun as well with most of the above info. Thought this might be better for insurance purposes but I don't know for sure; check with your agent

Like the rest of my data, this file folder is regularly backed up to tape with a copy stored offsite.

 

[Andrew S]

I keep a small notepad with Make, Model, Serial, Purchase Price, Purchase date, Source, and where and how it is stored.

 

[thorazine]

Gun Log? Do you keep one?

Yup. Everything in my collection (including accessories) are logged in an excell spreadsheet along with photos, scanned receipts, etc, of each item. I burned a couple copies on CD which I keep at my home, in my car and at the office.

 

[Onmilo]

If you decide to use a computer program to complete your log I would suggest at the very least that you password protect the data.
An encrypting program is even better.

I still use paper hard copy and a very good safe to keep this data on hand.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Gun Log? Do you keep one?

Absolutely! I've been collecting guns for so long that I cannot remember where some of them came from without checking the log.

 

[wundudnee]

My system is archaic, but functional. I have a recipe card box and whenever I buy a firearm I record all the pertinet data on a recipe card. I include make, model, caliber, serial #, purchase price, any special features, who I bought it from and where, if it has special collector interest, condition and grade, and a heads up if it is an unusual or highly desireable piece. I also sometimes give a rough value estimate. If I dispose of a gun, I just remove the card. My card file never has a hard drive crash. I also take lots of pictures and burn them to CD. I figure if something should happen to me, my survivors should have a pretty good idea what they're dealing with. I am fortunate in the fact my son is interested in guns and could do justice in the disposal and dispersal of my stuff.

 

[Jbar4Ranch]

The authorities know what I have .............

But if your guns are ever stolen, they'll never disclose to you what you had.

I use both Excel and Access. Excel is a spreadsheet best used for calculations, but it works ok as a database, while Access is designed as a database. Both will hold data and pictures, so no problem there. I keep copies on inexpensive jump drives, and keep the drives in two different remote locations as well as one in my home. 32Mb jump drives can be had for under five bucks, and Wal-Mart has 128 Mb jump drives for about $13. My accumulection is *extensive* and the entire file system, with pictures of each side of each gun, is still only around 25Mb.