Keeping track of gun info.

[DeepSouth]

I know I need to keep the Manufacturer, Model #, and Serial # in my records somewhere. I would think all I would ever need this info for would be in order to report a gun stolen or to an Insurance company in the event of a fire or something to that nature.

My questions are

1: Should I keep pics of all my guns along with the info?

2: Should I record the info from the scopes on the rifles to?

3: Many of the rifles are not mine, "technically" some are my dads,(on loan for several years now) what do I do with these?

4: What about mags, I have several hundred dollars in mags, ammo, chokes, cases, stuff like that?

5: Most importantly---Where do I keep this info? I don't have a gun safe, or a safe deposit box, and any house can burn and of course I don't want it get into the "wrong hands" as they say. I have heard of Comp. software that would keep the records all nice and organized but I don't like the idea of putting sensitive info on my computer......I know, a little paranoid, but regardless I'm not doing that.

I'm sure most of you have already climbed this hill long ago so I'm just looking for any suggestions you might have.

Thanks
DeepSouth

 

[BillyBA]

if you belong to a bank and have a checking/savings account - ask how much for a safe deposit box ? my bank (wachovia) offers a safe deposit box for $8.50 per month providing i keep said amount of money in my accounts with them. keep your receipts , serial #'s should be on them, and pics are always ggod too. if you cant go that rout, ask a relative that you trust if you can keep the info in a file cabinet over there ?? if you have insurance on your fire arms and accessories - keep those papers with the others.

 

[Oro]

I would think all I would ever need this info for would be in order to report a gun stolen or to an Insurance company in the event of a fire or something to that nature.

Correct, it's useful for those two things and that's about it. And unless you have a specific rider on your insurance policy as to the value of your firearms, they won't reimburse you for them usually - most all policies have a cap on firearms valuation unless you pay extra for a rider. You should look into that if you feel you really do want insurance coverage.

 

[BossHaug]

I have all my firearm and firearm related information (with .jpg photos) in a text file on my computer, as well as on a flash drive that is kept off premises. The file is encrytped with a free program called AxCrypt. It uses a password to open, works with most any Windows operating system. So, if I were to misplace the flashdrive, nobody would be able to see what I have. Hope this helps ya

 

[CoRoMo]

+1 BossHaug

I like spreadsheets.
I made a spreadsheet for my 'inventory' of guns, complete with serial numbers, descriptions, costs, etc. Keep backups of that file, onsite and off.

I just need to supplement that with photos and/or video records.

 

[SigP229R]

Gee Billy BA wachovia is getting over on you most banks charge like 30-40 dollars per year for S.D. boxes. I would suggest getting a bound ledger and writing everything in it and keeping it someplace in the house where you can put your hands on it at anytime. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I use a firearms software program called "GunSafe"
You can track just about everything you can think of. All the gun info, when bought, sold, modified. You can attach photos. It's free shareware program. I burn a backup and keep one in a fireproof safe and one off site.
http://www.somanyroads.org/gunsafe/

 

[dogtown tom]

+1 on GunSafe.

You'll never use homemade spreadsheets again.

 

[Blackbeard]

I've got a spreadsheet with all the info -- s/n, purchase date, price, etc. and I have photos of everything. I back up my hard drive regularly and I keep a copy of my documents on CD in a safe deposit box. If you don't have a box you can have secure online backup with a company like Carbonite. I think they charge $20 a year.

 

[FiveFiveSixFan]

"Gun Safe" will not work with Macs

 

[EHL]

Guess I'm old school. I don't keep any of that stuff on spread sheets or anything. I got a free firearms inventory book from Smith and Alexander. It's nice how the categories of firearms are conventiently laid out the way they are. I just imput all of my info in that book and keep it in the fire resistant gun safe. I also keep track in a seperate ledger exactly how many bullets and reloading components I have for all of my calibers, along with all firearms accessories.

 

[allank]

Once you have whatever info/pics you want electronically, create a hosted email account eg gmail, yahoo mail etc, and mail the info to yourself at that account. That creates an outside the house backup that will let you access it anywhere even if your house has burnt down or your computer(s) were stolen (as long as you remember the email account password!!).

I keep pics of my firearms with a high enough resolution to be able to zoom in and see the serial number.

Also check your insurance policy to see what the limit is for firearms related items. By the time you add up firearms, ammunition, accessories, full range bag, gun safe/RCS, etc it could easily exceed the policy limits unless you add a rider.

 

[Justin]

I use Gunsafe as well. It's about the best program out there. However, I find that the interface wasn't thought through very well, so it can be kind of wonky to use.

Other than that, it works great.

"Gun Safe" will not work with Macs

If you're running OSX, make sure you have X11 installed, it's a program that comes with OSX and allows you to run some Windows-based programs. It might be worth trying to see if you can run Gun Safe on your Mac.

Otherwise, try Boot Camp or Parallels.

 

[DSAPT9]

I have done as most have, I have a written spread sheet with all the info and have taken pictures and put it on CD placed in a fire proof document safe with paper copies of both the pics and list. I know one Glock 19 looks like all the others but if it has special features or scratches it could help identify it faster.

The bad thing if you’re a conspiracy theorist all the info can be used against you if the Zombies come knocking. So keep your thermite grenade ready to destroy the evidence if needed!!! Just kidding

P.S. even if they are not yours they are in your possession and should be recorded just incase of theft or fire. When you return them remove them from your list. It is what I have done in the past.

 

[RangeLogger]

Great ONLINE solution: www.RangeLog.com

All data is secure and not available to other users, but you can search through 3,000+ firearms to populate your personal inventory. Keep serial #'s, purchase date and add pics as needed; the site is free right now, so I hope you will give it a try.

www.RangeLog.com
Manage Firearms Usage Online

 

[DHJenkins]

I have a nice little zipped up file that has pictures, scans of reciepts, serial #'s, etc... all encrypted and sitting in my web-viewable email account.

I can access my info anywhere in the world instantly and it doesn't cost me a dime.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

YES, I do think its necessary to keep a permanent record (aka: "bound
book") of all firearms transactions. Manufactuer, model number, firearms
serial number, caliber [or gague], barrel length, and any special or unusal
features; with a photo (if possible). I use a FFL dealers bound book, as
well as a regular notebook to record this information. Both, are stored
securely and can be recovered; if the need ever arises~!

FootNote: Add to this- the date, whom bought from (or sold too), type
of finish, etc.