documenting your firearms

[eveled]

I have yet to 'see' a nefarious person as a member here... seems if there ever was one they don't last too long.

Membership is required to make a post, but lots of non members fish these forums.

My question is even if you post every detail. Who is to say any of it is even true?

Some people here post under their full name. Freely say what city they live in. What church they go to. Posts lots of pictures of their guns. Pictures of their wife, their car etc. A simple google search gives you their home address.

I’m not paranoid, but guarded nonetheless.

To answer the OP. I made a form printed 100 copies and put them in a three ring binder. I fill the form out when I get a new one. Binder lives in a fireproof file cabinet. Pictures on my phone of everything.

 

[Johnnu2]

Actually, I was trying to defend the original poster by pointing out that he was, indeed, a member for over a year. And then, I was sorta 'joking'. Apparently, my post was misinterpreted....(?) :)

J.

 

[Hankus]

@eveled “ Membership is required to make a post, but lots of non members fish these forums.”
And an uncountable number of bots too… whether LE or more nefarious organizations.

 

[Kevin]

I keep lots of information on “the cloud”

I know for a while there was a rumor that those little automated vacuums were mapping houses and sending the data back to China.

But floor plans are readily available on Zillow etc.

Lots of conspiracy theories are nonsense.

I did have my guns added to our insurance, but then sold some and took the rest off the insurance. It didn’t seem worth it.

However, for the insurance I created a Spreadsheet with all the data. What I paid, what it’s worth according to that big fat book. Pictures with condition etc.

I would imagine pictures will help more than anything if there is a need to involve the police or insurance.

 

[Old1215]

Since the accumulation changes often, I just photograph the firearm with a closeup of the serial number and store it in my phone. Add and delete as necessary.
I have a firearms rider on my property insurance. I’m getting paid in the event of fire or theft.
In Kentucky, it’s a crime to fail to report a lost or stolen firearm so the “lost them in a boating accident” excuse does me no good. If I report it and get caught with one it’s a felony. If I don’t report a loss or theft, I don’t get paid.
I just like being honest. Big brother knows I have weapons so why lie?
They don’t care what I have. If they come for them, they’re gonna get them.

 

[GunnyGene]

A real encrypted firearm database software would make it easier, and it's not expensive.

https://www.guntrack.app/pricing/

 

[Trackdog]

I did not know such software existed...:unsure:
I would like to have a record in case of loss/theft.
But there is book value and market value. And would you be in a fight with the insurance company if you had to make a claim?

 

[Tx Ruger fan]

I have s physical book showing the basic info, plus info such as date manufactured and special features if any. I also include info that makes the gun important to me such as: my first pistol purchased, rifle inherited from my father, duty gun carried x number of years.

I also have an electronic copy, in the cloud, and photos w/serial numbers which is also in the cloud.

 

[Trackdog]

I use the Notes app on my iPhone/iPad with embedded photos and pertinent information; date of purchase, price paid, approximate value when purchased, seller information, who I want it to go to (when the grandkids are old enough) etc. I have it shared with my stepson in iCloud (end-to-end encrypted) so he gets updates when I make a purchase. I should probably transfer this to a spreadsheet, when I get around to it.

Reminds of a TV commercial....means nothing without a will.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Between 6 computer systems with things saved, the backs up of the systems and 4 different external drives as master backups we probably are covered pretty well, unless a tornado or fire destroys the house and in that extreme case we will have much more pressing issues than having things documented somewhere.

 

[JAYDAWG]

A reasonable question in my opinion.
I use Excel with a retail value, plus a picture file for all my collectable ones

 

[peachhead]

I did not know such software existed...:unsure:
I would like to have a record in case of loss/theft.
But there is book value and market value. And would you be in a fight with the insurance company if you had to make a claim?

I use a separate company to insure my guns and reloading equipment. The company does not require serial numbers or pictures.

The only time I have had to make a claim was with State farm, 20 years ago, and I wrote everything down on a claim form and submitted it. Far as I know there were no arguments. For value I used whatever I would have tried to sell it for. Of course times have changed since then. The sad thing, is I was going by memory because the list was in the building that burned.

 

[eveled]

I also include info that makes the gun important to me such as: my first pistol purchased, rifle inherited from my father, duty gun carried x number of years.

This is my primary goal. Documenting heirlooms and history. For my kids.

Value is secondary. I do document what I paid. But it doesn’t really matter. If you have to sell, you get as much as you can, gain or loss

 

[s4s4u]

I took pictures that are on my phone, and in paint. I also wrote down serial numbers, which is in wordpad. I suppose all that stuff winds up in a cloud somewhere too

 

[JBP]

Being in IT for over 50 years I automatically make electronic files of everything I deem important. For my firearms I maintain an Access database of all my holdings and an Excel spreadsheet of all of my C&R purchases. Since 99.9% of my purchases are from either Gunbroker or Gunauction I download the pictures and firearm descriptions and keep them in a separate folder on my computer.

 

[dstegjas]

I have a physical list in each of my safes and electronic versions in the cloud.

Same here.

 

[thinckley]

I have a word document, yes it is stored in the cloud, although I do print it off every few months if things change and store it in the safe with my other important documents. I remember passwords, so no need to store them anywhere.

I have them arranged by type (Bolt-action, semi, single, etc.) Each firearm gets 1 to 2 pages with information and photos, including close up shots of the serial number, costs, and values (that I try to update yearly).

I also have a separate section for "sets" that should stay together

This is not only for insurance purposes (separate "Collector's Policy"), but also so my heirs know what's what.

 

[WendyZXZ]

This is my primary goal. Documenting heirlooms and history. For my kids.

Value is secondary. I do document what I paid. But it doesn’t really matter. If you have to sell, you get as much as you can, gain or loss

We do the same here, passing down the legacy. It is why we will have a little section that may note: "inherited from...", "Bought as a present by...". One of the Roy Jinks lettered S&W revolvers the 686 + here was one of 3 different serial numbers, total production of all three was 44 units, so that went into the document. Passing the torch whether to the following generation or the one after that one.

 

[RoninPA]

Well, all of my firearms are on a list somewhere as are probably most of the firearms for all the people on the forum. They are on a ATF Form 4473 that you fill out when you buy/transfer a firearm at a FFL 's place of business. That is except for firearms that were bought person to person and in a state that did not/does not require the transfer to be done at a FFL, or if gifted by a parent/grandparent/spouse. And depending on when the person bought the firearm, they are now on a database at the BATFE. BTW, That database is coming under scrutiny at this time because technically/legally it is not allowed to be done by the .gov and this administration is pushing hard for answers as to why the BATFE is still doing this.

 

[thinckley]

And depending on when the person bought the firearm, they are now on a database at the BATFE.

Only if the FFL went out of business or changed their license type.

 

[Strawdog]

I keep my firearm info on an Excel spreadsheet Saving it only to my computer... A printed copy is put in my safe each time I revise it, either buying, selling, or adding accessories of value.
Make/ModelName/ModelNumber/SerialNumber/Caliber/Features/MagsOrCapacity/Est.Value/D.O.B.
On listing the Mags I list quantity and value each, as some are out of production and quite pricey.

 

[RoninPA]

Only if the FFL went out of business or changed their license type.

Actually that has changed. It use to be that a FFL could destroy any 4473's that were 20 years old or older even if the FFL was still in business. But that changed a few years back and it was decreed then that a FFL must keep ALL of the 4473's until he goes out of business. Now, If a FFL goes out of business or changes his license, they now must send all the 4473'a to the main data center, or have the regional ATF office pick them up from the FFL and they ship them to the main data center.

 

[kmoore]

I already spend too much time at the desk on the computer. I use the old school method for gun records, paper. The list has detailed information about each firearm. That list has several copies, 1 in each gun safe and another in a safe deposit box. No information stored on my phone, computer or in the cloud.

 

[Richbaker]

Yup, Having a lake house creates that sort of problem as well. Love my boats,but they can get a bit unsteady. Wind and currents in the deep parts have lost me firearms left and right. Too deep and murky for any hope of recovery....

If I was that bad a sailor, I'd leave the guns at home...

 

[thinckley]

Actually that has changed. It use to be that a FFL could destroy any 4473's that were 20 years old or older even if the FFL was still in business. But that changed a few years back and it was decreed then that a FFL must keep ALL of the 4473's until he goes out of business. Now, If a FFL goes out of business or changes his license, they now must send all the 4473'a to the main data center, or have the regional ATF office pick them up from the FFL and they ship them to the main data center.

That is what I was saying. They only go to the ATF if the FFL gives up his license. Your original post intimated that all sales records go to the ATF after a certain date, and a lot of people think the ATF have a record of every single gun sold, but that is patently false.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I keep my firearm info on an Excel spreadsheet Saving it only to my computer...
Make/ModelName/ModelNumber/SerialNumber/Caliber/Features/Etc.

Pretty much what I do. ;)

 

[RoninPA]

That is what I was saying. They only go to the ATF if the FFL gives up his license. Your original post intimated that all sales records go to the ATF after a certain date, and a lot of people think the ATF have a record of every single gun sold, but that is patently false.

Yes, that is correct, I don't know what I was thinking when I replied. Sorry, getting old I guess :) But it used to be a FFL could destroy any 4473's that were 20 years old. And no one at the ATF ever told FFL's the reason why they made the change (but I think a lot of us know why and it wasn't "For the good of the country" :mad:

 

[Johnnu2]

I get help from NY State; they have mandatory registration of all handguns; they are actually listed on the pistol license which is (obviously) mandatory just to OWN a handgun in NYS. When I was (involuntarily) transferred back to NY, I had to register ALL my handguns and provide bills of sale etc etc etc..... It's HELL living here.
J.

 

[Fox Mike]

Listed in 'long hand' in a three ring binder, and stored in my fire resistant safe.

 

[wproct]

I remember way back in 1965 when I first started buying guns I bought gun insurance from our insurance guy and I had to give him a list of my guns and serial number and declared value. Problem was I was always trading guns to get the one I wanted at the time and I would literally have to give him a new list of guns about every other month. I quickly gave up on that. My list lives in my head and I have a lot of information in the notes section of my iphone. God forbid if my house burns down I will have a lot more pressing issues than the guns that I lost. Now I will say, my collection I am sure is much smaller than most of the members of this forum.