Best FFL Bound Book: Tried and Tested

Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs), such as gun dealers (whether home-based FFLs or retail storefronts), gunsmiths, and manufacturers, are subject to Federal firearms laws and ATF rules and regulations.

FFL Compliance with these laws and regulations is incredibly important – it not only helps to keep the FFL out of trouble with the ATF, to also helps to prevent the criminal mis-use of firearms.

As a firearm attorney, I’ve represented HUNDREDS of FFLs across the country and have help them set up their compliance processes to keep them out of trouble and also helped them to fight the ATF if they came to me after they already had a problem.

Most of the requirements for FFLs concern proper record-keeping for various transactions. Therefore, most of the problems FFLs get themselves into revolve around problems with their records – either the wrong format/system or wrong information.

The heart of an FFL’s records is the Acquisition and Disposition Book, sometimes called the A&D Book or the Bound Book.

In my years of experience, I’ve seen it all – In this article, I hope that I’ll be able to help you in at least one area of ATF compliance – choosing the Best FFL Bound Book. Once you’ve chosen the best A&D log, you might need some help filling it out properly Luckily we’ve got a great article on that here.

Types of Bound Books

When it comes to Bound Books (A&D books), there are really two main categories: manual books (both paper and electronic) and FFL Software. Sure, we could divide them by paper and electronic, but as you’ll see, some electronic solutions (like an excel spreadsheet) offer some benefits over paper, however, they must still be manually created and maintained.

Manual Bound Books: If you’re a smaller FFL (like a home-based FFL), a manual solution can make a lot of sense.

FFL Software: If you’re running a retail operation, OR you want to make sure that you’re not making certain mistakes so you can stay out of trouble, OR you’d like additional features that will help with more than just your bound book (4473, background checks, etc), a software solution may be best for you.

Yes, FFL software can cover much more than just a bound book – if you’d like to see how they compare with other features, check out Best FFL Software.

Best FFL Bound Books Compared

In the below table, you can find our favorite bound book in each of the categories listed above. 

However, if you’re interested in seeing a list of individual solutions in each category, you can scroll down (or click the category of bound book below) and see how each option ranked with more detail.

• Best Manual Bound Books
• Best Software Bound Books

So, with that, let’s look at the top options and see how they compare.

Best FFL Bound Book by Category

#1. Best Overall FFL Safe		Absolutely Free Editors Choice	Signup for Free
#2. Best Manual (Paper) Firearm Acquisition and Disposition Record		Best Paper Version Inexpensive Difficult to Search/Edit	See on Amazon
#4. Best Manual (Electronic) Microsoft Excel		Simple Inexpensive (likely use Microsoft for other tasks) Complicated to organize and use Must set up properly to be legal	See Pricing
Only for Large Stores FastBound		Extra Features for Large Stores A Bit Pricey	See Pricing

List of the Best FFL Bound Books

1. FFL Safe
2. Paper Bound Record Book
3. Microsoft Excel
4. FastBound

Review of the Best Overall FFL Bound Book

It was hard for me to pick a “best” bound book for you as an FFL without knowing your specific needs.

For example, you may loathe computers and only want to use paper (I’ll ignore asking how you’re reading this article if you don’t like computers).Or, you may want electronic records but you may not want software and a monthly fee for extra features that you’ll never use.

Despite those limitations, I can easily say that FFL Safe is the best solution as a bound book – although it may not fit your exact needs. But with that, let’s jump in on the different options you have with a FFL Bound Book.

#1. FFL Safe Compliance Software : Best Overall

FFL Safe Compliance Software

Great bound book for FFLs with many extra compliance features and absolutely FREE.

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• Interface A+
• Features C+
• Compliance A+
• Price A+

Our Grade

A

Reader’s Grade

A+

Based on 4 Reviews

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#1: FFL Safe (Editors Choice)

Making FFL safe the #1 pick was easy considering that I was a part of designing it. Why make this? Because many of the other bound book options out there are complicated to use, or lack in capability.

So, it was with this that building FFL Safe had simplicity and design in the forefront. Furthermore, FFL Safe is jam packed with information and guidance as you operate it. It gives you recommendations and has logic base that helps to make sure you don’t make a mistake. I also love the tool tips that can help answer questions as you go.

Furthermore, it is beautifully designed (don’t believe me – try some of the other options out there…it’s night and day).

But the biggest reason why this is such a good option for you is that it is absolutely free to use.

FFL Safe Pricing – Free: Yes, I’m highlighting that. Because even the paper one below costs you a good chuck of change and doesn’t provide you with logic or assistance.

The only con is probably not a con for most. FFL Safe was not built for giant chain gun stores. There are a lot of extra features that most FFL’s don’t need or use that large chains probably would. If you are a large chain, then you probably should check out FastBound (but its going to cost you).

FFL Safe Pros and Cons

Final Recommendation on FFL Safe: 

This is the author’s choice because it is a solid bound book for FFLs and has many extra features for those that don’t mind paying for them. Read more about Fastbound’s software.

#2. Firearm Acquisition and Disposition Record Book : Best Manual (Paper)

Firearm Acquisition and Disposition Record Book

An old-fashioned paper bound book can make a lot of sense for those that want to keep things simple.

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• Interface D-
• Features D-
• Compliance A
• Price B+

Our Grade

C+

Reader’s Grade

TBD

Based on 0 Reviews

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#2. Firearms Acquisition and Disposition Book Review

If you want a pen and paper method of keeping your A&D book for your FFL, then there’s really only one option for you: an actual paper “bound book.”

These can be good in some situations – after all, there’s no need for a computer, they seem simple enough, and there’s not specific ATF requirements for electronic bound books to keep up with. However, you can get into a lot of trouble – quickly.

In my experience representing hundreds of FFLs against the ATF for compliance violations, a paper bound book like this is almost a sure sign that the FFL is going to end up getting into trouble with the ATF. No, it’s not because of the paper bound book.

Instead, it seems to be a trend (in my experience) that FFLs who don’t care enough about compliance to keep a sophisticated record keeping system, end up having troubles in other areas too.

Also, you must be vigilant if you are using any manual method, however, this paper book is easier to stay compliant than with an excel spreadsheet above because the audit trail for edits is obvious and there are no backup requirements. However, if you lose or damage the book, you’re… well… screwed.

A&D Record Book Pricing: This book from Amazon so price can vary but it’s fairly affordable.

Paper Bound Book Pros and Cons

#3. Microsoft Excel Bound Book : Best electronic Manual

Microsoft Excel Bound Book

Microsoft Excel is the best electronic manual solution, but it is the bare minimum you should be using and can cause serious issues if not set up and managed properly.

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• Interface C
• Features D+
• Compliance C-
• Price B

Our Grade

C

Reader’s Grade

TBD

Based on 0 Reviews

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#3. Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Review

Microsoft excel spreadsheets can be used as a bound book, however, they are the BARE MINIMUM electronic solution.

They can work (I’ve used them on personal FFLs for years, but they lack compliance features of FFL software and they MUST be set up and run properly in order to be compliant.

They might seem like the simplest solution, and they can be if you are good with Excel and know the ATF compliance rules for record keeping inside and out. However, if you’d like a better interface (that’s easier to stay out of trouble), you should consider Excel as a manual solution.

Spreadsheet Pricing: When it comes to cost, some people consider Excel to be free. However, this is only technically true if you have already purchased Microsoft Excel for something else, at the time of this writing there is no truly free ATF bound book solution.

ATF Requirements: Microsoft Excel can be made to work for FFL bound books, however, it only meets ATF requirements for electronic bound books if you put in the work to ensure the right backups are made (especially if you’re keeping the files in the cloud), the right printouts are made and kept, and the audit trail for edits is handled properly.

Microsoft Excel Pros and Cons

Last Option: FastBound (Only for large stores)

FastBound used to be rated as the best FFL compliance software, however, when FFL Safe came to market, that quickly changed.

Sure Fastbound has been around for a while and has just about every feature you could ask for. However, from a majority of FFL’s this is not only overkill, but also makes using the software that much more confusing.

Furthermore, you have to pay a significant amount of money to use it. Why pay, when you get it free with FFL Safe.

Now, one thing people talk about is that they are partnered/backed by FFL Guard, a firearms compliance law firm. And, full disclosure, I was previously an attorney with FFL Guard and I went through the system thoroughly to approve it as compliant.

However, while Fastbound claims that you are “100% covered by a legal defense against ATF.”  This doesn’t mean that if you individually have a problem that you get free legal coverage (similar to CCW insurance).  Instead it just means that they have their legal team verifying their software stays compliant, and that if their software causes you problems with the ATF, they will help represent you against the ATF.

Fast Bound Pricing: 

When it comes to pricing, Fastbound is fairly competitive for a paid bound book.  They are by no means the cheapest.

Fastbound tiers their pricing so that FFLs with low volume of transactions can save money whereas bigger FFLs will have to pay more for their service.

Fast Bound Pros and Cons

As you can see, Fastbound is a solid or reasonable choice, if you are a large gun store. However, if you are not one of these, then no reason to pay for them, when you get a better FFL bound book for free. If you are still interested though, you can read more about Fastbound’s software here.

Did You Find the Best FFL Bound Book for You?  

In the end, the top FFL bound book really comes down to you and your needs. Perhaps you don’t want an electronic system regardless of all the benefits you’d get from it. Then the paper option is best. Or perhaps you aren’t a major store and thus want to cut out unnecessary costs – then FFL Safe is for you.

But regardless, take a look at your needs and hopefully this article helped you discover the different options out there.