How Do You Record Your Gun Info?

[Deavis]

I let OSP and ATF ( for NFA items) do it for me……

 

[arakboss]

I entered in my second firearm. The wife put together a simple spreadsheet in openoffice for me. I still haven't decided how I want to handle photos.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

Guns? What guns?

 

[arakboss]

Guns? What guns?

The ones I keep at the lake.

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

I don't do anything saved digitally. I'm absolutely trash with computers and tech and I've had computers and phones zap out on me.. I don't trust anything digital.

As noted in other posts. I have a physical binder in my non firearm safe (separate from my home) that my family has access to in the event I die or whatever. It makes it easier for my family and fiancé to sell off the crap I've tucked away over the years. It also has a page with selling suggestions such as how to do it: consignment, this forum, etc.. with notes mentioning what is to be kept even if they do not like guns. (Mostly the family guns which I wish remain in the family).. everything else can be sold or gifted to someone.

I do keep an updated list on who I wish to gift a firearm to (friends, family, certain folks on this forum) if I pass away. I'd like for some of my crap to go to folks who would appreciate it rather than just selling all off for less than what it's worth.. I'm not old, however a person can meet their end at any time.. why not have your info squared away to help your family or loved ones?

Again, all this info is mostly for my family if I die or am somehow incapacitated and cannot inform them about all this nonsense. I realize this info can be weaponized and used to find out what have and all that. I don't care, I'd rather my family have this info so it can help them recoup some money so they don't just give it away and keep family guns in the family.

YMMV but I feel much more comfortable knowing they have important info they can use making it all so much easier.

 

[arakboss]

I don't do anything saved digitally. I'm absolutely trash with computers and tech and I've had computers and phones zap out on me.. I don't trust anything digital.

As noted in other posts. I have a physical binder in my non firearm safe (separate from my home) that my family has access to in the event I die or whatever. It makes it easier for my family and fiancé to sell off the crap I've tucked away over the years. It also has a page with selling suggestions such as how to do it: consignment, this forum, etc.. with notes mentioning what is to be kept even if they do not like guns. (Mostly the family guns which I wish remain in the family).. everything else can be sold or gifted to someone.

I do keep an updated list on who I wish to gift a firearm to (friends, family, certain folks on this forum) if I pass away. I'd like for some of my crap to go to folks who would appreciate it rather than just selling all off for less than what it's worth.. I'm not old, however a person can meet their end at any time.. why not have your info squared away to help your family or loved ones?

Again, all this info is mostly for my family if I die or am somehow incapacitated and cannot inform them about all this nonsense. I realize this info can be weaponized and used to find out what have and all that. I don't care, I'd rather my family have this info so it can help them recoup some money so they don't just give it away and keep family guns in the family.

YMMV but I feel much more comfortable knowing they have important info they can use making it all so much easier.

I think I will do a back up paper copy too. I am only two firearms in so....

 

[Nosferatu]

I've had paper get wet and smear away everything on it. The stuff also catches fire remarkably easily! I don't trust it.

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

I've had paper get wet and smear away everything on it. The stuff also catches fire remarkably easily! I don't trust it.

Haha well Nosferatu, dark castles tend to be a little moist and using candles to light the chambers and halls of said vampiric castle does tend to make for a fire hazard.
In that regard computers may be the better route!

 

[toast]

You can do both (with no extra work).

Make the spreadsheet (and selling info for loved ones is a great addition!)

Save the spreadsheet in several places online and on physical thumb drives in multiple physical locations == fire/theft/media degradation proof.

Print paper copies to go into the safes for loved ones and to appease the inner Luddite.

 

[CO136]

I use an Excel spreadsheet. Single tab for each gun, easy to document purchase data and serial numbers, easy to import pic's of the guns. Data backed up to thumb drive. Data also backed up to DVD with a DVD stored in the safe and in the safe deposit box at the bank. Works well.

 

[P7M13]

• Some form of RTF doc where pictures can be included is the easiest, like @MichaelH
• When using Excel, you can create a sheet for each firearm and include pictures. It's also very simple.
• If using a simple table excel type sheet, you can insert a link to pictures of the firearm. Those would be in the same directory or a sub-directory of your spreadsheet for ease of the insertion link.
• Long ago, created a DB for tracking software licenses. I used to insert photos in a SQL database as a BLOB (software license certificates, etc). This would work too.

Remember to include any upgrades or special features about your firearm - trigger, muzzle brake, silencer, peep sight, etc. That stuff adds up too.
Remember to include optics and optic serial numbers. You'd be surprised at how fast you can get up to $10K in optics.

edit to add:
I've sold/traded two guns and given away eight in the last decade. I also keep those in the spreadsheet recording the transaction.
I do the same for all my powder, reloading tools/die sets / bullet molds and top punches. Once you create it, it's not hard to keep updated. It has saved me from double purchase of die sets, etc.

 

[Yeti9518]

How do you attach pictures to a spreadsheet entry?

If you save them to a local file, say where your excel file is located, you can add a hyperlink to a cell in your spreadsheet with a picture or folder location.

 

[thinsley]

I user Google sheets. Pic and item details. This way it's accessible on my phone at any time, etc. Something like that or Excel I think is the best way to go about it.

 

[stompah]

Remember computer backup 101: you need an offsite copy (or 3) of critical data. If the house burns down, or the computer is stolen, whatcha gonna do then?

I use excel spreadsheet myself. Backup? I email it to myself.

 

[Kcee]

A friend of mine rented some of his land to pot growers, and he got raided. The first thing the Feds grab are all the computers and cell phones, then the guns, and last they go after are the actual criminals.

I worked for the phone company back in the 1970s, and I've always known there's no such thing as privacy when it comes to electronics of any kind.

I consider anything on a computer to be easily accessible by corporations, governments, and crooks. That's why I never put my real name on a computer anywhere. I especially NEVER use my real birthday for anything, except for government related things where false information is a crime. I always lie to corporations when I buy their products.

If you put any trust in a computer, you're an idiot.

I mentioned to one of my bankers that I never use online banking, and I was surprised when he said he does NOT trust online banking either, and he won't use it. Either he's smarter than he looks, or he knows something.

 

[Nosferatu]

Either he's smarter than he looks, or he knows something.

Or he's just a banker and knows bubblegum-all about digital information security.