Ok, got my new Shield Thanksgiving weekend and love everything about it after 600 rounds, except..
the damn cheapo cardboard box!

After all the S&W boxes I've accumulated in beautiful molded blue plastic (which I never use unless I sell the gun (which so far is never), I was surprised to see S&W go to cardboard.

Even Taurus does plastic!

My ONLY complaint.

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Look at it this way, the cardboard boxes are smaller and stack easier in the closet.

The full size 9 i got this summer has the plastic case but i did notice the shield i looked at on black Friday was in a box. I dont use mine for storage so didnt really pay attn to it but i wonder if its a shield thing or something SW is going to across the board.

Is your name Patrick? Do you live under a rock?

S&W used cardboard boxes for several decades until the '90s.

They went to cheapo plastic boxes back then.

Wouldn't you rather they put the money into the product than into some clunky plastic case that's going to collect dust in a closet? Besides, most classic S&W handguns over the years came in cardboard boxes--plastic is a recent phenomenon.

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Southern Comfort
Retired USAF

My most expensive, most accurate and favorite gun came in a cardboard box. Les Baer ships his in cardboard.

I wouldn't worry about the cardboard.

My new PC 9L came in a ****** plastic box that hardly latches closed. Its basically garbage.

You are 100% positively correct!!!!!!! Cheap blow mold plastic boxes are a recent venture. Besides who keep their pistola in the box anyway? Boxes go in the big box in the attic.......Pistolas go in the safe. Wanna buy some boxes?

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S&W Accumulator

I like to carry mine to and from the range in the box.
Kinda wish they went back to the blue or black plastic cases!

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

My Shield came in a cardboard box also, I never knew keeping the box was something I should do and tossed it out.

I would say if you want a plastic S&W plastic box post in the WTB section! I am sure someone has one to sell! They are also for Sale on E Bay! I have the cardboard box as well for my Shield and it holds my receipt and paperwork, I picked up a Plano Black case for transport to and from the range!

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9mm Shield

I wished mine had a plastic box as well...here is a link to S&W to purchase a box for $11.00 + shipping
Handgun Cases - Smith & Wesson

The cardboard box does not bother me so much for the simple reason I store my Shield 40 IWB where ever I go, so no need for a plastic case to store it. When it goes back in the cardboard box is when I sell it, which I see that not happening in the near future.

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NRA member since 1974

Pretty hostile reaction to a tongue in cheek post...you woulda been more polite if I said I had a recoil spring assembly problem. Get a sense of humor!

I was thinking the same thing. Some very unneeded comments...

For over a hundred years most hand guns (and long ones) came in paper boxes. You'll find some of these really old hand guns that still have the original box the value increases a lot. Anything original with the old handgun increases the value.
But, I can understand why you do.....
I have five handguns__all have the same manual of arms and are all
"handy" in different locations in my house. My regular EDC is a
Shield 9 but all are handy enough to pack.
These plastic boxes, as one poster said, is a relatively new thing. I think they and the "card board boxes" all usually wind up stored someplace.
I think when shipping the plastic boxes afford much greater protection. Then, never found any damage to any that came in
card board.

My model 19 came a box.i was happy

My new Bodyguard came in a cardboard box BUT, with a very nice folding nylon zipper case for the pistol and extra mag. Now the case resides in the cardboard box on the shelf in the closet--right next to the Shield's cardboard box and the full sized M&Ps nice blue plastic box.

BTW - Taurus uses cardboard as well. my tcp and pt111g2 were both CB.

I was just looking at some used Rugers at Cabela's and I was drooling over those orange cardboard boxes they used to come in. Ruger needs to buy ing those back.

Depends, do you have one for a 4006?


My understanding is the plastic boxes meet TSA requirements for checked guns on airlines. Now I don't have to buy a special box for that

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Retired Career Security Guard

My Shield, Sig SP2022, Ruger SR1911, and Mini 14 all came in cardboard boxes.

The rest came in plastic boxes. Some seem study, some are junk. Not all have provisions to lock. One came in a plastic box inside a cardboard box (Beretta). It even came with a plastic cup! Should get bonus points.

Cheap plastic boxes are just that, cheap. I transport mine in pistol rugs.

Picked up my "California Compliant" Shield today. Came in a corrugated box, not a cardboard box. Bought a plastic case, as transporting in California is difficult with their laws.

At home I store in the safe, but when going to the range, it needs to be unloaded in a locked container. (Trunk of a car would be ok, as it can be locked separately from the passenger section). In a SUV, technically, the trunk can be accessed from the inside of the car, so it must be in a locked container, separate from the ammunition. Magazines need to be unloaded too.

Once I get my CCW, things will change, but until I get that, I must follow all the rules.

I'll look tomorrow....Bought one back in 89....Box should be around here somewhere.

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S&W Accumulator

My wifes M&P9c came in a nice plastic box with cutouts for the Mags & extra backstraps she does actually use it. On the other hand I am sure the corrugated box my SD9ve came in is around some where with the lock & spent casing in it. My gun has not seen it's box since the day I got it out & shot it for the first time.
Has been a working gun from day one night stand , truck , carry in cold weather & at home then throw it in the range bag to go for a little fun time.

I like the fact that my new M&P 9 Pro serise came in the plastic case. Means i don't have to go out and buy one for it!

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NRA Life member

Cardboard-- ok Corrugated. Pardon us all.... Now I wonder if the plastic is really 'plastic'! ;-) (As my brother-in-law would say after being corrected by my sister on a detail -- "whatever")

So I ordered a new Shield 9mm from Buds and got it 2 weeks ago and it came in a cardboard box. I then ordered an M&P9C from Buds and got it yesterday and it was in a blue plastic box.