This is just one of those dumb question posts. I was looking at YouTube videos recently that featured the M&P9 Compact 2.0. I was looking at vids that compared them to Glocks, CZ's, etc. All were informative and the M&P came out looking good in all.
All the reviewers had blue plastic cases for their pistols. When I got my 2.0, it came in a cardboard box. Even now, after the virus and gun panic, my local shop only gets them in with cardboard boxes.
What determines if you get the plastic or cardboard box? Is it a distributor thing, does S&W change this at different times? Do they only send the good boxes to the YouTube reviewers to look good on camera?
I always keep my box. I still have my 9c 1.0 with a plastic box. I may order one from the S&W store eventually.

My various MP’s (1.0 & 2.0) have all come in the corrugate box not plastic. Didnt matter if PC or std model. Never really paid much attn to them as at home any boxes are just stored away and not used. So not sure if there is any reasoning to what may have a plastic case.

That's interesting Ranger17.

All the original models came in blue plastic cases. The Shield originally came in just a cardboard box.

Then S&W changed to a black plastic case, but the Shield still came in a cardboard box.

I don't know what they come in now, but I guess S&W finally decided it was cheaper to just use a box.

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Freedom isn't free.

My apologies, after reading this i dug thru my totes and did find a blue plastic case for my full size 1.0 dated 2/15. I literally throw cases into a tote and never touch them again so forgot that one. So guess my 1.0 PC Shield that i got when it first came out started my SW’s in corrugate. As did my compact 22, Victory, new EZ Shield etc.
So I do have one plastic case in the little collection lol.

My 2013 M&P9 FS and Compact came in the blue plastic box. My 2013 Shield came in a cardboard box.

FWIW, my 2014 Ruger SR1911 came in a cardboard box but my 2013 GP100 came in a sturdy plastic one. Even my 2012 Sig SP2022 came in a cardboard box while other later SP2022s came in plastic.

I do keep all of the containers, papers, and locks.

Personally it doesnt matter to me what the case is as I dont use them for hauling guns to the range. But one drawback on corrugate is if a retailer throws their tape on it before you can leave. That ain’t coming off.