How to mark guns for quick ID (non-permanent)?

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DougB

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I own more than one of several handgun models, and different members of my family also own some of the same models. They all get stored in the same safe, and sometimes taken to the range together. I'm looking for a way to mark these so we can easily identify which gun belongs to which person, and also, which particular one we're handling/shooting at a given time. Obviously the serial numbers could be used, but I don't want to have to remember the serial numbers, and which belong to which family member. So, I'm looking for a way to mark guns that:
- Is not permanent (I don't want to engrave initials on the guns, for example).
- Is easy to spot, but doesn't ruin the look of the guns any more than necessary.
- Doesn't interfere in any way with function or gun handling/holstering (no dangling tags, etc.).
- Can be used on guns made predominantly of polymer, blued steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc.

Some way to mark with an initial, maybe a particular color, or something like that. I've read some suggestions for using Sharpie pens (silver for marking black guns). I have a small pink sticker dot on the frame of one of my wife's guns that is holding up okay (I don't recall where I got it). I've thought about wrapping some clear tape around the trigger guards with a colored dot or initial showing through (but I worry it may fray in interfere with trigger operation).

Anyway, I'd like to hear if anyone has found (or can think of) a good solution for this. Thanks.
 
A lot of people paint sights for help with target acquisition. You could potentially do that and let the blue sights be Billy’s and the pink sights be Becky’s etc...
 
I guess if it were me I'd look for different colored striker assembly plates from after market makers, or different colored magazine base plates. The striker plate is a better idea though.
 
Hockey tape, lots of colors and options. One strip around the grip will do it, or you can go crazy. Works for bags, extended mags and other gear as well.
 
Various colors of electrical tape, cut into minimal width strips and place one in the front portion of the trigger guard
 
Silver sharpie's on blue guns, black on SS. It comes off easily enough, yet makes them easily identifiable. I have several hand guns that have magazines that are very similar looking. The model, and caliber is written clearly with silver sharpie on all of them. Once inserted into the grip the writing isn't visible. No reason someones initials couldn't be written somewhere on the gun as well.

I even write the exact load on some magazines. For example I keep some AR magazines loaded with 55 gr FMJ, others with 75 gr softpoints, some with 55 gr Barnes TTSX. That info is written in sharpies on the magazine where it won't be visible once inserted. I can quickly grab a pre loaded magazine with several bullet options.
 
You can use inlay with paint if you'd like. Example, my S&W Shield says as many firearms do the caliber on the barrel. I inlayed the gun in white so a quick glance tells me its a 9MM Shield versus a .40 or .45 one. Glocks are similar. Inlay on the caliber designation is easy. Many youtube videos show hoe it works. I used white model paint and a squeegee. If you inlay the "Glock model 21" or whatever in White, even the number you could easily glance and tell a Glock 17 versus a 22 or a 20.
 
Sistema1927 said:
How about using different colored handgun "socks". Not only would they allow for discrimination in identification, but they would also provide a level of protection while being stored in the safe.
Click to expand...

This is what I do also.
 
Sistema1927 said:
How about using different colored handgun "socks". Not only would they allow for discrimination in identification, but they would also provide a level of protection while being stored in the safe.
Click to expand...
One substitute for socks would be sections of inner-tube, cut to different sizes, like rubber-bands. You could place them on the stock, and other
parts away from the barrel and receiver. You could use different thicknesses, mark on the rubber, etc.
 
DougB said:
I own more than one of several handgun models, and different members of my family also own some of the same models. They all get stored in the same safe, and sometimes taken to the range together. I'm looking for a way to mark these so we can easily identify which gun belongs to which person, and also, which particular one we're handling/shooting at a given time. Obviously the serial numbers could be used, but I don't want to have to remember the serial numbers, and which belong to which family member. So, I'm looking for a way to mark guns that:
- Is not permanent (I don't want to engrave initials on the guns, for example).
- Is easy to spot, but doesn't ruin the look of the guns any more than necessary.
- Doesn't interfere in any way with function or gun handling/holstering (no dangling tags, etc.).
- Can be used on guns made predominantly of polymer, blued steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc.

Some way to mark with an initial, maybe a particular color, or something like that. I've read some suggestions for using Sharpie pens (silver for marking black guns). I have a small pink sticker dot on the frame of one of my wife's guns that is holding up okay (I don't recall where I got it). I've thought about wrapping some clear tape around the trigger guards with a colored dot or initial showing through (but I worry it may fray in interfere with trigger operation).

Anyway, I'd like to hear if anyone has found (or can think of) a good solution for this. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Many of my pistols have interchangeable calibers. I use colored magazine floorplates to identify which caliber I have in a magazine. I either buy them colored or paint the floor plates with automobile touch-up paint. Since they are easily replaceable, IMHO this is non-permanent.
 
I'm already using that part of my brain to remember my wifes birthday and anniversary. Its already over capacity.

I chuckled.

Honestly, I wasn't ragging on you,,,
I shoot with a friend and we both have Bersa Thunder 22's.

I memorized the last two digits of my gun,,,
But I'm sure we swap magazines on occasion.

Aarond

.
 
Another possible way is to use the little plastic tabs from bread or English muffin wrappers. They can be labeled with a marking pen and just snapped on (and off) of the trigger guard.
 
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