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.
Cardboard Again?
- Thread starter jrod
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number0009
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Saw a new 22A-1 sitting in cardboard the other day.
S&W probable in a cost reduction mode and going environmental/retro.
S&W probable in a cost reduction mode and going environmental/retro.
Maximumbob54
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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...
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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.
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.
J.Solo
Member
I prefer the plastic case for storage and transportation.
J.Solo
J.Solo
Any pics of the new box?
SgtSam
Member
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. 
617X10
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The cardboard boxes my Uberti's have come in seem to be pretty durable. As long as S&W can make one as durable, I don't have any gripes.
PA Reb
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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.
Sonny Crocket
US Veteran
pineappleshooter
US Veteran
Bought a new 442 in June - giant plastic case.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Plastic or cardboard might depend on what gun it is.
I got a new Model 642 last month directly from S&W on a warranty repair. Plastic box about 9" by 13". Fired casing dated 6-28-2011.
I got a new Model 642 last month directly from S&W on a warranty repair. Plastic box about 9" by 13". Fired casing dated 6-28-2011.
captainjohnsofd
Member
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.
sqhead
US Veteran
cardboard for me ,stack better,old school,cool factor,tradition,and plastic just feels cold,no soul to em.
Thanks for the pics!
CQB27
US Veteran
I find this thread very amusing. It makes me think that someday a thread will read "Model ______, with all papers and orginal plastic box".
there is no rhyme or reason for the cardboard, i have seen most of the smaller guns come in cardboard but the larger ones in the blue case, the m&p don't come in the big black cases anymore but in the regular blue cases. i think a lot of time it depends on what the distributor had in stock and how long. check the date on the fired casing envelope. btw if i remember right that patch is 82nd airborne from ft bragg. i was 63rd engineers 1968=1970
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You're damned if you do and damned if you don't
I swear-we could fight over a steel ball bearing
chief38
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I much prefer the older 2 piece cardboard boxes with the metal reinforced corners. They are MUCH more compact and are very handy for safe storage. The newer plastic cases are just too damned big! I am not concerned about transporting the gun because I use a pistol rug for that purpose. I prefer to take up the space inside my safe with guns, and not the plastic that they come in.
By the way, should you choose to replace the plastic boxes with cardboard ones, you can use the plastic ones (stripped out of course) for use as a cleaning kit case or for small tools.
Chief38
By the way, should you choose to replace the plastic boxes with cardboard ones, you can use the plastic ones (stripped out of course) for use as a cleaning kit case or for small tools.
Chief38
Broadside
Member
I agree with you 100% Chief38!
By the way, for those that prefer the plastic cases, I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure that they will be available for sale by people wanting to get rid of them for many, many years to come.
I'm sure the card board is cheaper but prefer the plastic if I need to store or ship the guns. I bought two J frames and a Sigma in 2010 and all came in plastic. A M22a bought this year came in card board.
PALADIN85020
US Veteran
I swear-we could fight over a steel ball bearing
Many years ago, when I was a mere pledge in a college fraternity, we were sent out on a scavenger hunt - one of the items listed was "A ball bearing mousetrap." Many in the pledge class were puzzled, and claimed no such thing existed. However, I found one - an un-neutered tomcat...
John
