Just bought a new 637 and it came in cardboard S&W box instead of the blue plastic. It's a new gun. Anyone know if S&W is getting away from plastic? It's actually pretty cool, reminds me of when I bought them in the 80's.
They are famous for cost cutting measures. That would be my guess. Does the 637 still have the ILS or is it going away on that model? (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...)
The blue cases may costs more that the cardboard but are a renewable resource for sure. However, my problem might be if you have to send your gun back to SW in that cardboard box. The plastic can take a lot of abuse, not sure if a paper type box can. Fed EX has been using boxes for a long time so maybe just a forum topic and not a concern like say the ATT deal at the UN...
Several months ago, maybe a year, I got an email from Smith & Wesson asking me to reply to a poll they were running. The questions were in reference to the cardboard/plastic box question and which we prefered and why.
I picked cardboard, mostly because once you've got two or three plastic ones, they're just extra junk (IMHO). Too nice to throw away, and take up too much room to store.
Mine have all come in plastic boxes but I still remember my Dad's revolver's coming in the cardboard boxes. Cardboard would be easier to store, my closet is crowded!
Simply gotta' agree with "Cajunbass"! Once you have a few, the rest are excess. If the cardboard is cheaper and will bring the price down on the gun a few $'s, I say go for it. Even if it doesn't, it's probably better.
I vote plastic. I actually bought black plastic cases similar to S&W's to house the S&W revolvers I have bought over the years that didn't have the original box. They say plastic is hard on the environment if not disposed of properly but cardboard also means more dead trees!
They both can be recycled but I don't see throwing away a plastic box made to put a gun in. By the way, trees grow back. I have got some of those fed ex type boxes and they stack pretty good. What I need is some kind of box or something to keep all the cleaning stuff I seem to use or just drag home thinking i will use.
All the new Bodyguards and SD 9's and 40's are delivered in cardboard boxes. Not two piece boxes as in the past, but they are pretty substantial as far as construction. The rest of the product line is still coming in the blue plastic cases with custom models coming in black plastic cases.