Simple, effective, inventory system?

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WestKentucky

WestKentucky

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I was wondering if anyone uses an inventory system for their firearms, ammo, and other associated items. I would like to do so and am looking for guidance if folks already use something.

I'm basically thinking of an excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs detailing inventories for guns, ammo, reloading supplies (main one for me) possibly cleaning supplies, muzzleloading components, etc. Basically just something I could glance at and know what I have, where it is, and what I need to restock. Almost like a financial ledger.
 
I just have it all (guns, ammo, accessories), in a file on my computer and print out a copy of it for safekeeping.
 
If you have Excel, use it. If you don't, you can get free spreadsheet or data base programs with a net search.
"...Spellchecker and autocorrect is ran..." Isn't "ran" or run by anybody. snicker.
 
OP, I use an excel file for the firearms inventory. A tab for purchases, a tab for sold.

I have a different excel file for reloading - part log, tab for each caliber, and part inventory for components - bullets, powder and primer. It's not quite real-time, but it does help me keep track of the consumables. if you like i can email you a copy for you to play with.
 
I made myself a simple Access database for my guns and ammo. Much better than excel for storing data if you want to generate reports, etc. For the ammo I keyed in my starting inventory and then every time I buy or use some I key in those entries. That way it keeps a running count of what I have in inventory and I can track my use and costs. Feel free to use it if you like.

Post #34 here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9982113#post9982113
 
I like using google sheets. There is something satisfying about using the free software of a left leaning operation to keep track of all of my firearms supplies etc.
 
WestKentucky said:
I was wondering if anyone uses an inventory system for their firearms, ammo, and other associated items. I would like to do so and am looking for guidance if folks already use something.

I'm basically thinking of an excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs detailing inventories for guns, ammo, reloading supplies (main one for me) possibly cleaning supplies, muzzleloading components, etc. Basically just something I could glance at and know what I have, where it is, and what I need to restock. Almost like a financial ledger.
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This comes up for discussion every now and then. Software like Excel is used by many or Excel's free counterpart in Open Office. However, Excel is really spreadsheet software and what you want is more data base software. You place inventory in a data base to my way of thinking but just my opinion. I would go with Microsoft Access in the MS Office family or Apache OpenOffice Base the free equivalent of MS Access in Open Office.

A few members were running inventory apps on their smart phones and one member did write his own firearms inventory control program. Plenty of directions to take. For anyone not having the MS Office software Apache OpenOffice 4.1.2 released can be had here. Anyway, my suggestion would be set up a data base with a few tables for whatever trips your trigger. Guns, Ammunition, whatever you want.

Ron
 
I use Excel and programs that can read/write Excel files, depending on the device. It works good enough. For NFA items, I also scan any related documents (e.g., approved Form 1/4) into Adobe PDF. Both are easy enough to print when needed and making backups are easy these days.
 
Swing said:
I use Excel and programs that can read/write Excel files, depending on the device. It works good enough. For NFA items, I also scan any related documents (e.g., approved Form 1/4) into Adobe PDF. Both are easy enough to print when needed and making backups are easy these days.
Click to expand...
That's a good point. Beyond image linking any important documents can be scanned as a .pdf file and linked to within a database or Excel Workbook. Receipts, Bill of Sale or whatever.

Ron
 
A couple of years ago I wrote a PHP/mySQL based web service that I just host from an old server I had sitting around. Nothing to fancy but its used to inventory reloading supplies/track reloads and firearms. Any time a new one is added its updated and a hard copy stored in case of an issue.
 
Wow, I actually feel kind of old-fashioned here. I just have a simple Notepad (.txt) file with what I have and about when I bought it.

I only stock a few calibers, so the ammo inventory is pretty much in my head. I don't reload. I also don't sell much of anything.



I probably could use Excel or Access (or open source equivalents) and kick it up a notch. Some good ideas have been presented. Kind of got me thinking...
 
I have documentation, probably a bit out of date, describing each of my firearms and any add ons Ive purchased for them, on Google Docs. Its not too high tech or comprehensive, but its safe. Storing locally (on your home PC) is great, so long as its only for usage / cost / planning purposes, but if you are wanting something you could refer to in case of disaster (fire / tornado / etc) something cloud-based is the way to go.
 
I use a a spreadsheet for information on my firearms.

Those firearms that I want to keep a record of rounds fired, i use Sinclair International's shot log books.

I keep reloading records in loose leaf binders, one tab per cartridge. I keep primarily the lot number and the load recipe. When developing a load, I have a note section in the binder to record the development process. Also, I have a velocity page and a group page that uses the lot number to reference to other pages. I do not shoot all lots for velocity or groups.

I do not bother keeping what inventory of ammunition I have on hand. If the ammo can is heavy, there is ammunition in the box. When the box is empty, i load more.
 
Like many others I use Excel. I have separate tabs for long guns and pistols. I put down the model, special notes, where I purchased it, when, cost, if I sold it (never happens), estimated value and any accessories I put on it. Insurance company loves the info.

I take pictures of everything, at least two. One of the over firearm and one close up of a serial number.

Note to store all of this out of your home. I was running a college and we were doing some remodeling and a fire started in the lower level of the main admin building. The insurance companies asked for inventories and other information that same night. It scared me to think it was all in the building that was on fire. Luckily it was safe from the fire but I change many things after that.

I keep load recipes in a three right notebook tabbed for each caliber. I have all of the documentation to my reloading equipment in there also. One stop shopping. Have some ammo inventoried, but not all. No components are inventoried but I know what I have. All ammo is labeled so I know what I have there.
 
bannockburn said:
I just have it all (guns, ammo, accessories), in a file on my computer and print out a copy of it for safekeeping.
Click to expand...
This. I started keeping computer records on an Apple 2 in the mid '80s using a program called Appleworks. I later used dBase 3+, Visicalc, Lotus 123, Approach, and Access but have stuck with Excel since the early XP days.

They all work; the hardest part is that initial inventory, data entry and the discipline required for pretty much daily updates of reloading components. I like Excel because of its calculating capability. Set the sheets up correctly and you can have just a few data entry cells that feed all sorts of cells in all sorts of sheets. I like the computer to do the math; all I want to do is the initial entries and the updates.
 
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I just keep a Writeinrain notebook with all the make, model, and serial number of each firearm, along with the same info on optics or other ancillary equipment attached.

I do try to keep it organized by rifle, pistol, or shotgun and by manufacturer as possible.

I also keep a log of all magazines by model and capacity. Logs of ammo are tricky, but I do tend to inventory them after large ammo buys.
 
I also use an Excel spreadsheet. I don't have a lot of firearms but I have enough to justify it. I list the gun, serial# and year made (if available) as well as the current retail values and wholesale values. I also track my reloading equipment and supplies along with their current values. I have columns that total the current retail and wholesale values so I know what my current collection is worth.

To those who want a safe storage of this information, I email the file to myself whenever it changes. I can access the files from anywhere I am by signing on to my email service and it is safe from fire, theft and any type of disaster.
 
I am old school. I have two paperback firearm logs. A copy I'd kept in two different pickup gloveboxes.

Inventory for reloading supplies? I simply look at what I have. I don't see a need to over complicate it.
 
I have photos of everything for insurance purposes.

My wife is borderline OCD, she has scanned all the purchase receipts and made a spreadsheet with all the info and a field with the photo name. Its all on a USB stick in one of those "fire-proof" document lock boxes along with my NFA paperwork inside the safe.
 
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