[58sniper]

It's been a while since this has come up, so I thought I'd start a new thread for discussion. How is everyone tracking items in their collection? I use a fairly complex Excel spreadsheet with tons of formulas, VBA, and other features. On each pistol case, I attach a little orange sticker (as shown below) with a number that corresponds to the item in the spreadsheet. Pistols are stored in their cases. For items that aren't in the case (extra parts, etc.), they go in a ziplock bag or box with an orange sticker with the same number on it, and I add a green sticker to the pistol case to indicate there are extra items. But recently received a couple of pistols that had labels like those shown on the latch below and thought it interesting.

For non-pistol items, I don't really have anything in place. For Glock Annual mags, I have them sorted by year, in page protectors in binders. I have every issue. For other things, I just kinda remember things.

Thoughts? Suggestions? What are you using?

 

[sawtoothjoe]

Im a little more simple, I have an old FFL firearms log book, with serial number, what it is and what its worth. The pistols are in there box with acc with an index card that has the same information. The boxes go in labeled Fat 50 or tall 30mm cans with any other acc or manuals and those go in the safes or the deep vault. If I croak it will be much easier on my daughter or girlfriend to deal with. Open the can, open a box and its all there no guessing or tying to find a computer file. As to extra owner manuals, armorer manuals, publications they go in proper size manilla envelops with all the information written on it and all those go in a can. Im middle age and fit with no health issues but sometimes .... happens. I have mentioned many times the importance of the cans, they are waterproof, your fire safe is not. You can often find large used TL30 safes for about the same as high end gun safes, there is a huge difference. Edit- I know its about cataloging and I have a tendency to wonder.

 

[Kentucky Shooter]

Word document chart spreadsheet here, continually updated as guns come and go. Columns for make/model/caliber/ value.

In the upper right hand corner I have the days date of last revision so I’ll know I’m looking at the latest version.

 

[Danke Glock]

I keep an inventory of all of my guns and a shooting log in a spreadsheet. It also tracks are pertinent purchase/sale information as well as upgrades done to the gun(s). None of my guns are stored in cases, as I bought handgun racks to store my guns in the safe.

 

[racer88]

I use an awesome software / app on my laptop. It tracks my guns, ammo inventory, accessories / parts, and range trips.

Firearms Database | Gun Database Software Hand Guns, Rifles, Pistols

Firearms database software, gun records software, hand guns software, gun inventory, rifles, revolvers, pistols, ammo and all range records for target shooting and hunting trips.

www.yoursecondamendment.com

Just to head folks off at the pass... this is NOT an online or cloud app. It's entirely self-contained in it's own folder, and you can even run it off a thumb drive instead of the computer hard drive, if you want.

I've been using it for years. Love it!

 

[glockhoarder]

I'm so far behind on GT it's incredible - SO much great stuff in such a short time.

I saw this and thought to comment quickly...

I'm all on paper. I have backups in the SDB, etc.

My best friend has the best system for his collection that I've seen. He has QR code software. He uses ultra-low adhesion painter's tape to affix QR codes to everything of value (guns, optics, cans, accessories, etc). He enters all of the info on a given piece into a single page on this QR program. It can be easily updated, etc. Anyone can scan the QR code and get all info. It's so easy for his estate and to edit. I'd love to duplicate this someday.

 

[METEOR1]

I have downloaded a software program called Recollector (Recollector) It runs in either Excel or OpenOffice. It isn't specifically made for firearms but it organizes anything you would collect and would like to organize.

 

[smoothshooter]

It's been a while since this has come up, so I thought I'd start a new thread for discussion. How is everyone tracking items in their collection? I use a fairly complex Excel spreadsheet with tons of formulas, VBA, and other features. On each pistol case, I attach a little orange sticker (as shown below) with a number that corresponds to the item in the spreadsheet. Pistols are stored in their cases. For items that aren't in the case (extra parts, etc.), they go in a ziplock bag or box with an orange sticker with the same number on it, and I add a green sticker to the pistol case to indicate there are extra items. But recently received a couple of pistols that had labels like those shown on the latch below and thought it interesting.

View attachment 1272761

For non-pistol items, I don't really have anything in place. For Glock Annual mags, I have them sorted by year, in page protectors in binders. I have every issue. For other things, I just kinda remember things.

Thoughts? Suggestions? What are you using?

Looks like some of you guys are making things a lot more complex than they need to be. Of course some people are into that thing.
I do not need an inventory of ammo. Don’t want one.
I have used a pencil to make a list of the guns I have by description and serial number, and approximate value.
That’s enough information for my surviving heirs, and me too.

 

[racer88]

Looks like some of you guys are making things a lot more complex than they need to be. Of course some people are into that thing.
I do not need an inventory of ammo. Don’t want one.

I have my ammo stored in stacks of labeled ammo cans. I can't see it. So, I don't know what I have at a glance. I like being able to go to my software and see if I've got what I need for an upcoming range trip. Or if I'm running low and need to order.

I have used a pencil to make a list of the guns I have by description and serial number, and approximate value.
That’s enough information for my surviving heirs, and me too.

As my dad says, "Don't argue with success." Whatever works, eh?

The cool thing about the program I use is that the databases interact. So, when I log a range trip, it automatically updates the ammo inventory and gun round counts. But I'm admittedly a nerd! Your mileage may vary.

 

[One_More_Glock]

Great ideas all….thank you for sharing! I’m looking for a better system than I have currently.

My collection is insured on a separate firearms policy, so any single item above $10k has to be individually listed. I’ve been trying to keep the overall collection below the max insured amount - but may have to re-evaluate in the coming months.

For now, I keep everything listed in a file on my iPad. Not ideal.

 

[Julius Seizure]

You guys are making me feel lazy! I don’t keep track of any of it and am sometimes surprised when I open up a closet or look under a mattress and find a rifle or shotgun that I forgot I purchased. The good news it always feels like Christmas!

 

[racer88]

Great ideas all….thank you for sharing! I’m looking for a better system than I have currently.

My collection is insured on a separate firearms policy, so any single item above $10k has to be individually listed. I’ve been trying to keep the overall collection below to max insured amount - but may have to re-evaluate in the coming months.

For now, I keep everything listed in a file on my iPad. Not ideal.

Lots of ways to do it ranging from.... scratch pad with pencil.... to Excel spreadsheet... to a dedicated commercially available computer app.

With the computer app I use, you can use as little or as much of the data fields as you want. So you can keep it simple, or go gonzo with the details... depending on your level of nerd obsession!

 

[Danke Glock]

You guys are making me feel lazy! I don’t keep track of any of it and am sometimes surprised when I open up a closet or look under a mattress and find a rifle or shotgun that I forgot I purchased. The good news it always feels like Christmas!

I had to start doing it. As my collection grew, I needed to have the info for insurance and it was getting harder to keep track of maintenance issues, particular spring replacement for my 1911s. It’s also been useful for me to track guns I’ve sold.

 

[racer88]

I had to start doing it. As my collection grew, I needed to have the info for insurance and it was getting harder to keep track of maintenance issues, particular spring replacement for my 1911s. It’s also been useful for me to track guns I’ve sold.

Yep. Same here. Plus I like that I can inventory all my gun building parts and then assign them to each build as I go. I can then look at the total build cost... which is NOT always a good idea! LOL! You do NOT save money building P80s! LOL!

 

[Julius Seizure]

It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for far too long. Appreciate all of the suggestions and motivation, it’s going to be my next project. I’m long past due…

 

[Danke Glock]

Yep. Same here. Plus I like that I can inventory all my gun building parts and then assign them to each build as I go. I can then look at the total build cost... which is NOT always a good idea! LOL! You do NOT save money building P80s! LOL!

I’m better stocked than most gun stores when it comes to GLOCK and 1911 parts, but it’s not something I track. It’s easy enough to place an order if/when something runs low. An unfortunate consequence of reducing my gun collection is it left me with a bunch of 1911 parts and accessories intended for guns I no longer own. I’ll have to inventory and price those parts, so I can start selling them.

 

[racer88]

I’m better stocked than most gun stores when it comes to GLOCK and 1911 parts, but it’s not something I track. It’s easy enough to place an order if/when something runs low. An unfortunate consequence of reducing my gun collection is it left me with a bunch of 1911 parts and accessories intended for guns I no longer own. I’ll have to inventory and price those parts, so I can start selling them.

Ummmm.... 😁

 

[racer88]

I’m better stocked than most gun stores when it comes to GLOCK and 1911 parts, but it’s not something I track. It’s easy enough to place an order if/when something runs low. An unfortunate consequence of reducing my gun collection is it left me with a bunch of 1911 parts and accessories intended for guns I no longer own. I’ll have to inventory and price those parts, so I can start selling them.

And then I can do this... much to my own chagrin when I look at the total! Yikes! LOL!

How's THAT for being a bit nuts over this stuff?? LOL!

 

[Maccabeus]

I have about a dozen serial numbers listed in OneNote.

That way, if anything ever gets stolen, I can report it as such along with the serial number.

Technically, there's another dozen numbers in the list that I no longer have, but all the ones that have been sold over the years are in a different font color.

That's about as detailed as I get.

I also have a very rough estimate of total ammo on hand that's written on a scrap piece of paper that I update every year or two.

 

[Bomber Nav]

Everything inventoried, cataloged, and entered in Excel, along with range notes and round counts.