Gun Inventory Database

December 03, 2018, 09:33 AM

Cobra21

We are trying to re-catalogue my father-in-law's inventory of over 400 guns into a more user friendly database. Many WWI, but mostly WW2 weapons (30+ M1 Carbines with different mfg or configs), etc.

Anyway, we have it all in an exhaustive spreadsheet, but I'd like to upload fields (or data entry) into a more robust database with a GUI of some sort that would allow him to search, sort, etc.

Anyone know of a program, or short of that, maybe even a programmer who could assist?

December 03, 2018, 09:41 AM

C-Dubs

I suck at it, but outside of using a table in MS Excel, MS Access might be worth looking at.
I enter data into a couple different Access databases at work periodically, and that’s what it does best.

December 03, 2018, 09:45 AM

smschulz

quote:
MS Access

You would have to set it up with some work in the beginning but then you have a customized page that looks anyway you want.

December 03, 2018, 10:56 AM

RogueJSK

There used to be a well-known and highly regarded firearm database program, but the creator dropped off the face of the map a couple years ago and stop supporting/updating it, scamming folks out of their registration funds. Lots of pissed off folks out there as a result. (Looks like the website is still up, and may still even accept orders, but you won't get anything out of it.)

I use an Excel spreadsheet. You can both search and sort in Excel (and likely in the spreadsheet you're already using too). It's not as flashy as a custom database, but it does everything I need it to do.

December 03, 2018, 11:00 AM

bigdeal

quote:
Originally posted by smschulz:
quote:
MS Access

You would have to set it up with some work in the beginning but then you have a customized page that looks anyway you want.

^^^This. I personally love Access because it gives me the flexibility to store, search, and reflect data any way I choose. The newest version of Access is pretty user friendly (as DB's go), so you could likely get everything you want out of it with a little time commitment on your part.

-----------------------------
Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter

December 03, 2018, 11:16 AM

V-Tail

An alternative to MS Access, is FileMaker.

Access is Windows only, FileMaker is Windows and / or Mac.

December 03, 2018, 11:24 AM

sigfreund

I’m sure that dedicated databases offer more options, but something that few people seem to realize is that Microsoft Word tables can be used for basic purposes. I have several data tables that contain about 350 to over 2000 entries. It’s possible to automatically sort the entries and search for specific terms with simple commands. I originally started using Access many years ago, but found that after converting the Access data to Word tables it was easier for me work with the latter.

December 03, 2018, 11:43 AM

urbanwarrior238

I use myArmscache. It's an App found in the App store and you can take pics and upload all kinds of gun data, accessories, etc.

December 03, 2018, 11:50 AM

jhe888

I'd just Excel, but if you aren't already a little educated, even an existing Excel spreadsheet would be a little intimidating.

December 03, 2018, 12:09 PM

jbcummings

Go with Excel/Access. You don’t even want to go toward a programmer and a custom built anything, unless you just don’t care about expense and want a customized turnkey operation. It’s just not cost effective. You can or you might find someone who could, whip together a VBA front end for either MS application. That might be reasonably priced, but honestly the best alternative is Excel.

December 03, 2018, 12:51 PM

nhtagmember

I would use MS Excel and for searching and sorting, simply use the sort/filter and find/select features already built in

no programming required

December 03, 2018, 01:50 PM

creslin

I went and made my own database using LAMP (linux, apache, mysql, php).
I built a little no frills web gui just to display stuff

December 03, 2018, 01:57 PM

bjor13

quote:
Originally posted by Cobra21:
We are trying to re-catalogue my father-in-law's inventory of over 400 guns into a more user friendly database. Many WWI, but mostly WW2 weapons (30+ M1 Carbines with different mfg or configs), etc.

Anyway, we have it all in an exhaustive spreadsheet, but I'd like to upload fields (or data entry) into a more robust database with a GUI of some sort that would allow him to search, sort, etc.

Anyone know of a program, or short of that, maybe even a programmer who could assist?

i use an app called "my arms cache" its pretty good but managing 400 might not be what you need. The CMP also offers free software and worth looking at

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=74771

December 03, 2018, 02:28 PM

ulsterman

quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
There used to be a well-known and highly regarded firearm database program, but the creator dropped off the face of the map a couple years ago and stop supporting/updating it, scamming folks out of their registration funds. Lots of pissed off folks out there as a result. (Looks like the website is still up, and may still even accept orders, but you won't get anything out of it.)

I use an Excel spreadsheet. You can both search and sort in Excel (and likely in the spreadsheet you're already using too). It's not as flashy as a custom database, but it does everything I need it to do.

That would be MygunDB? Guy is a total crook and he continues to take people's money.

December 03, 2018, 03:03 PM

RogueJSK

Yep.

December 03, 2018, 03:17 PM

ulsterman

quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Yep.

Looks like I got something right today.

December 03, 2018, 03:18 PM

zoom6zoom

I've always had good luck using NM Collector.
The newer version is Java based, but the older Windows version is now available free. https://www.nmcollector.net/

December 03, 2018, 03:25 PM

tatortodd

I used to use a free program called GunSafe, but have since switched to Excel.

Thanks to this thread, it reminded me to update my list with recent acquisitions.

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

December 03, 2018, 03:36 PM

ulsterman

I spent weeks taking pics, logging serial numbers, accessories and inputting them into MygunDB. Then it crashed and shitstick is no where to be found.

December 03, 2018, 03:48 PM

flashguy

In the distant past I used a product called GunTracker, but it went belly-up in 2016. It's a shame, because it was pretty easy to use and included the Blue Book data as part of it.

I did a search and found this free product: https://www.nmcollectorsoftware.org/. Installation was pretty simple (must follow instructions, though, because OS after Vista won't work if installed in the Programs folder). Product only for Windows and not specified for after W7 (it does run on my W7Pro machine). The product looks to be a good way to list data about firearms. I have not tried to use it yet, but it does have a sample entry that can be viewed.

flashguy