I read that PC guns no longer come in that beautiful aluminum case. True?

My 625-8 PC came in a gray plastic case. Build date on the gun was 4-10-10. It's true I'm afraid.

__________________
Get off my lawn.

My 327 R8 came in a blue plastic box just last month. It's a decent box, and a nice blue to boot... but it's nothing like the classic old aluminum PC case. Too bad. I was just posting here to see if perhaps I was the recipient of a little switcheroo at the dealer.

Thanks for the reply!

The cases really weren't anything to brag about, dented easy, cheap latches/locks. I always thought they should have either used a better quaility case or just kept them in the standard box.

It is the decision of the party that is commissioning the Performance Center run as to how they are packaged.

Packaging alters the cost of the firearm.

Obviously the blue plastic box is the cheapest, the PC gun rug is a bit more expensive and the aluminum case is the most expensive.

I understand the comment if it's Lew Horton or RSR for example but more than a few Perf. Center models are 'factory issued' and the aluminum case most likely comes from China - can't cost too much considering the prices on most Perf. Center models the case could be thrown in so to speak - IMO! I understand the comcept of maximizing your profits but it wouldn't hurt.

Ditto that.Typical cheap Chinese mfg.stuff-nothing special.
I think a decent rug,such as a Boyt,is the way to go.
I sold my hardcases and did exactly that.

My PC1911 came in a gray plastic case. It was fancier than your standard S&W case and has two combination locks on it. Quality was poor and the case fell apart, literally, within a couple weeks.

__________________
~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

I haven't bought any recent production Performance Center guns but I just picked up my 1911 9mm Pro Series on Tuesday and was disappointed to find that it came in a cheesy blue plastic case. I kind of expected more for a gun with a MSRP of $1685.

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

I agree, my 952 came with the aluminum case and when I got it I thought, wow, this is nice. Well looks can be deceiving. It was dented and the combination lock would not work. I did get a replacement from S&W, via a trip from China.

I received an S&W 27-8 PC as a gift several years ago. I've been through two PC aluminum cases since then, both had hasps that broke/bent. I called S&W who told me that they are no longer using the aluminum cases and hence, sent me a gun rug for a $1000.00 PC gun. Seems they could've used something a little more classier.

I obtained a couple of these years ago from a dealer who went out of business. Nowhere on this case does it state Made in China but it does have this on it.

Attached Images

	DSC00778.jpg (49.8 KB, 719 views)
	DSC00772.jpg (66.1 KB, 580 views)

The first PC guns I got were in blue plastic with logo,kinda big,I like the blk dockosil? cases they at least fit in the gunsafe,Im with you that the metal ones are all junk ,I would have rather had 50.00 knocked off the price, of course I saved them all,in case I ever sell the guns,but they takeup alot of space for what they are.Maybe one day they will sell for 500.00 like a registered mag box, HA!

Where can you get a PC gun rug. I have looked on the S&W site and cant find one anywhere?

I have bought a few Performance Center guns in the past few months and they all have come in a gray plastic case just like the standard blue ones but molded in gray plastic. I bought one used PC gun from the aluminum box era, but it did not come with a box.

My favorite box is the S&W 500 8" box that I bought here last year.

Chris

The PC 325TR that I bought two weeks ago came in a plain, unprinted white cardboard box. No lie. Quite disappointing.

Yes, it came with the TR gun rug (made in China), and no I dont use the 'boxes' that handguns come in to store or transport them, but its still disappointing to drop more than a grand on a gun and get a white cardboard box.

I see them listed on various auction sites from time to time.

Out of 5 Performance Center guns I have owned, not one has had an alum. case, not even the early ones. Question...do alum. cases have the serial number of the gun anywhere on, or inside the case??

My PC 627 came with the aluminum case. Have never used it, and it has been stored with other factory boxes since I got it. Nice looking case.

Folks,
I have 30+ PC guns and lots of Aluminum cases, lots of rugs, and many Blue Plastic Boxes. If you complain, look at the way a $2500 Les Baer Gun is packaged….cheap un-marked, un printed Cardboard box….
I actually have an S&W box for 4 guns, made by Pelican…fantastic Protection, will not dent AND it weighs 2-3lbs. I have no desire to carry it since it weighs so much.
I like transporting my guns in S&W or Boyt rugs, or better, in small range or stage bags to hold mags, springs,etc. and put them all in a large NRA leather carry duffel. That way, If I go to a match or fun shoot, I can take 4 guns for the day.

__________________
Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

Numrich has them, item numbers 1291590 and 1291600

KO

It has been some time since the cases were issued.
One of the reasons, I was told, there just too many returns of them.
They had changed suppliers of them (China) and they were not all that good.
Ask me how I know.

Bob

Both my trr8 and 629-5 nato came in aluminum pc cases.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

Cheap blue cases? HAH! I just bought a .357 M&P 340 revolver and was shocked to see a $869 list gun now comes in a cardboard box.
I'd have been pleased to have yet another blue plastic box.....

There is a gray X over the image. I am guessing that means they are out of stock.

The case matters not. Most of my nicer guns came in a cardboard box.

I never use the cases guns come in. They just take up closet space.

Short answer, no.

A lot has changed since this thread was started going on four years ago.

Some early PC guns shipped in a basic plastic Doskocil case with the sliding plastic latches. Those had the end label right on the case.

They later went to a ribbed aluminum case with the PC emblem. The end label was attached to the outer corrugated shipping carton. The cases had a label from "Cases by Source" out of Ramsey NJ.

At some point, S&W started shipping PC guns in a one size fits all rug by Allen in the USA. These had an embroidered PC logo on them and also came in a corrugated shipping carton with the end label.

My 945-1 has a Julian date of 2008 and came in a non-ribbed aluminum PC case that was made in China. Again, the end label was on the outer shipping carton.

I haven't bought a PC gun since the 945-1, so haven't seen first hand what they've done since then. Here's some photos of the older stuff:










Note that this is not a PC case, it was simply an aftermarket case offered by S&W out of their "Store".

__________________
"I also cook."

Just bot a governor and a 1911 sc both came in cardboard box

Times change huh? I personally never use the cases from S&W, I just store them. But I guess for resale purposes it's cool to have the aluminum case. Personally I think S&W would have done better to keep the aluminum case and pass the cost on to the buyer.

Here is my thoughts....oh never mind I like being posting here. Sorry.

Me too, I have every case from every hangun I own. The aluminum cases are kinda neat but the grey PC cases are just fine too and hold up better if you're actually going to use them. Personally my favorite are those felt lined, fitted cases for the Sc/Ti series.

Hi I am new to this site and this is my first post. I just bought a recon 9. Are you or anyone else interested in selling an aluminum pc case? Mine came with a plastic case. Best regards, Troy

Aluminum case? Plastic case?
I thought smiths were all now coming in carboard boxes.

An old, but interesting thread.

My last aluminum case was with a PC/Lew Horton model 27 run *about* 10 years ago.

Since then, I've seen the grayish plastic boxes. My 325 Thunder Ranch came in a plain white cardboard box containing a nice rug with TR logo, while last weeks PC snubbies came in the standard blue cardboard one-piece box.

While the aluminum cases had a bit of wow-factor when you picked up your gun, it quickly became a pain to store and quick to dent. I noticed the NJ logo photo, but can't imagine these cases (on a large wholesale manufacturing level) having a dead cost greater than $2-5USD if imported from "West of LA". And yes, I've dealt with a lot of Chinese products. The real cost with something like the classic aluminum cases is maintaining quality control, supplying replacements for dents and customer service for those that might have locked and forgotten the combo.

In the end, the most important function of the box comes when it's time to sell or buy an older, classic piece.

__________________
Best Regards,
Mark

You're better off without one. The PC cases of today are junk and no where close to the quality of the PC cases of years past. The latches and combination locks easily break.

Spend the money instead on ammo or other accessory of choice for use on the gun.

Also, taking a gun to the range in a PC case is a proclamation that is contains something extra special and an invitation to someone with less than honorable intentions to make of with it while your back is turned... and yes, it has happened to forum members evidenced by their posts.

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

My Pro Comp PC 3" .44Mag manufactured 1-27-06 came with the aluminum case with China patent #ZL 9902832. 8 stamped on the hinge side. And oh yes its cheap and dents easily. But I'm saving it with all the collector goodies.

old 1911 fan

My new TRR8 came in the gray plastic box.
That just went on top of the garage box pile.
As far as I'm concerned, a plain old cardboard box would have been just fine.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

l just love boxes. l think the box an item comes in says a lot about the way a company cares about its products. l love shoe boxes and jewelry boxes.. Especially jewelry boxes. Things are just so much neater when stored in their boxes. All my shoes are in their original boxes when not on my feet.
When l was a kid Dad would give me his gun boxes. l would be in big trouble if he knew how much money l have made over the past few years selling those pretty blue 2 piece S&W boxes with their cute little screwdrivers and papers in..l especially like the wooden ones with the blue linings.. They bring the most...
l was a bit disappointed in the last S&W box Dad got..lt had a beautiful two tone 44 Magnum in it..The cylinder, hammer, and trigger were chrome.. The frame and barrel were black.. Except for that cute chrome thingie on the end of the barrel...The gun is called a PC Magnum Hunter.. lt even came with a reddot...Now here we are looking at this $1500 gun that came out of the cheapest cardboard box you have ever seen.. l bet the Leapers reddot box cost more than the PC box.. You can get a Leapers reddot from Midway for $36..l told Dad he could the PC box.. l doubt it will last or gain value like my blue and wood boxes of the past

Google is our friend:

Cases By Source | Shipping Cases, Custom Cases, Carrying Cases, Tool Cases

Spent a bit of time looking around this site..... they have a TON of cases!

Thought I'd post a picture of this type of case (Doskocil), that my PC 845 Limited came in, since I didn't see one here. Nothing special, for sure, basic indeed.

When I bought this gun used, about a year ago, the dealer told me they didn't have the case for it. I was disappointed. About (3) months later I get a call from the gun shop advising they found the case while doing their end-of-year inventory & to come pick it up. I was excited to get it's original case but was surprised that S&W put it in such a plain case, especially since they weren't cheap guns, around $1400 retail, almost twenty years ago. And nothing on it says Performance Center, just a regular case.

.


.

__________________
Waiting for the break of day

Just bought a PC1911SC from the Performance Center. It came in a nice grey plastic lockable box. Good to keep directions etc. in. Mine go into the top shelf of a couple possible closets. O.K. Case but the old Aluminum cases were nice.

__________________
NRA Life Member