Packaging - M&P Shield

[ivanwi11iams]

I'm curious, in general does S&W sell their guns with solid plastic boxes versus a cardboard box?

I just bought an M&P Shield 9mm, and it was simply in a S&W cardboard box.

I ask, because in 2011 when I bought my Glock 19, it was in a gun box (those solid plastic ones). Was my M&P Shield in a cardboard box because it wasn't seen as a higher end model? Would I have gotten a decent box if I'd bought the M&P Compact or higher?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

 

[jonesy814]

they probably just use the cardboard box to save money

 

[Tinn-Can]

The others come in a nice plastic box with all the foam cut out jazz... Then get shoved in a closet... The box is there to lower costs which I appreciate much more...

 

[buzz754]

My bodyguard .380, and my shield came in cardboard, my 9c came in plastic as did my model 10-12. My Les Baer came in cardboard. None of the containers have seen the light of day since the initial unboxing. I would not take it as a sign of quality how the gun ships.

 

[speedyquad]

both my shields and my sigma were cardboard boxes. my 586 from 1983 was also cardboard. the 40c came in the fancy plastic box...all are quality guns...

 

[shakyshoot]

I think with the smaller guns they assume someone will be carrying it rather than transporting in a case. You can get a case similar to factory pistol cases for $10-$15. I thought it was kind of a negative that my Shield came in a cardboard box, but $10 later all is good.

 

[bonjorno2]

My new 642 came in cardboard just like the shield. I like the fact that they are saving money and passing it on to us!

 

[N4KVE]

Newly made S&W guns all come in a cardboard box. But my 2009 M&P40c & all S&W guns of that era came in plastic boxes. Back in 2011 they switched, so we had both in stock. The store manager said to sell the older guns first, so that meant selling the plastic boxed guns until they were gone. But all the newly made S&W guns that we had for sale at the Miami gun show yesterday were in cardboard boxes. The Shields were test fired 4/4/2014. GARY

 

[speedyquad]

all the m&p compacts and full size that is at the lgs i was in today had the blue plastic box...my compact that had the plastic box was purchased new in january of 2013.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Thanks for all the responses. I certainly agree with saving money, etc. I was more concerned with using said hard plastic box to hold extra clips, ammo, etc.

Albeit you all make brilliant points about having the gun concealed on me anyway. So, who needs a box/plastic holder.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I'm curious, in general does S&W sell their guns with solid plastic boxes versus a cardboard box?

I just bought an M&P Shield 9mm, and it was simply in a S&W cardboard box.

I ask, because in 2011 when I bought my Glock 19, it was in a gun box (those solid plastic ones). Was my M&P Shield in a cardboard box because it wasn't seen as a higher end model? Would I have gotten a decent box if I'd bought the M&P Compact or higher?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

Certain S&W models get cardboard and certain ones get plastic. "Paper or plastic?"

If you had gotten the M&P Compact or the Full Size M&P, you would have gotten plastic, at least for now. Who knows about next year?

 

[Stratajema]

The use of a cardboard box does not save much money. An OEM plastic case (without a seal) would cost S&W only $4 each if made in high volume.

The cardboard box will "wick" moisture away from the gun in a high humidity environment and then later dry out when the humidity drops. Desiccant will not do that. The included closed-cell foam provides a barrier between the gun and the cardboard.

Some guns get surface rust when stored inside a plastic case (without a seal) in a high humidity environment. For example, I heard stories about this occurring with some Springfield pistols having a stainless slide. The stainless that Springfield uses has a higher carbon steel content in it to prevent peening and galling of the slide. The higher carbon steel content would sometimes lead to surface rust on the slide when stored in Springfield's OEM plastic case (without a seal) in a high humidity environment.

Some thoughts...if you store your gun in the OEM cardboard box, make sure it is resting on the included closed-cell foam and include some VCI tabs in the box. Make sure a VCI tab does not touch the outer finish of the gun by placing it in an empty magazine well or by taping it in a spot where the gun will not contact it.
Zerust® Plastabs

And if you use a sealed case like a high quality Pelican or SKB case, then consider placing a desiccant pack in the case but be very careful the desiccant does not come in contact with the gun. (Since a desiccant pack can slide around in a case during transport, I use velcro to anchor the pack to a corner of the case. Just make sure the pack does not tear open when you change it out.) I recommend this desiccant with humidity indicator:
Stack-On Safe 'n Dry Desiccant, 4-Pack: Shooting : Walmart.com

Of course, it is also beneficial to use VCI tabs in a sealed case. Here is another one that is good for gun cases: http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-inhibitor-tool-box-plug/p-1805317-c-9188.htm

 

[cbr6864]

For all I care they could ship it in a paper bag. I toss most of my cases day one there are a few that are built pretty well though. But if I wanted a high quality gun case I'd buy one. It is kinda funny though that for years everyone was talking trash about hipoints coming in cardboard boxes and now it's more or less mainstream.

 

[Morey]

I would prefer a plastic case and was disappointed the shield came in a cardboard box.

I'd use it has a range case or for locked transport if needed. Then I don't have to go out and buy a new case, that is not custom cut to the gun, right after I buy a new gun.

 

[Kadonny]

I think you can order the gun box from S&W's website also.

You can, I got one from S&W a few months ago, they were $10 or something like that.

My 642 Pro came in plastic and that gun cost less than my Shield.

 

[BigDog99]

Both of my Shields came in cardboard boxes. My M&P 9mm came in a blue plastic box. My M&P 40 came in a larger black plastic box. The .40 was a "range kit" that included an extra mag, holster, dual magazine holster, and upula loader. My S&W revolver also came in a blue plastic box. I am guessing that the "lower end" guns come in cardboard boxes while the more expensive guns come in plastic.

 

[40calmike]

i just got my 40c last week. it came in a plastic box. kinda pointless as stated above. gun goes in the safe or holster. plastic box takes up room in closet next to the empty full size plastic box.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

As far as I am concerned-Smith & Wesson messed up big time when they got away from the two piece boxes. I will NEVER buy another Smith until they go back to the two piece boxes. First they go to those one piece cardboard monstrosities and then to the plastic boxes. Now they are going back to even worser looking one piece cardboard boxes that remind you of a Taurus box. They started going down hill when they switched from gold to blue but at least the blue boxes were two piece.

 

[joshk1025]

i just got my 40c last week. it came in a plastic box. kinda pointless as stated above. gun goes in the safe or holster. plastic box takes up room in closet next to the empty full size plastic box.

40c came in blue plastic last week as well. Its good to have the plastic in my neck of the woods because handguns are required to be transported in locked cases.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

 

[jimjc]

I really don't care what they ship the guns in as long as it`s protected in transit...All my guns that get stored get oiled and wrapped in a oil cloth and get checked about every 4 months.. I've never had one spot of rust on any gun since I started buying guns 40 years ago...

Of course if you're going to sell a gun it's good to have the box it came in..

 

[labworm]

My Model 63 came in the cardboard box and I like it.

 

[blujax01]

As far as I am concerned-Smith & Wesson messed up big time when they got away from the two piece boxes. I will NEVER buy another Smith until they go back to the two piece boxes. First they go to those one piece cardboard monstrosities and then to the plastic boxes. Now they are going back to even worser looking one piece cardboard boxes that remind you of a Taurus box. They started going down hill when they switched from gold to blue but at least the blue boxes were two piece.

Not to mention the "collectable" market, just look at prices in the classifieds for those old revolver boxes!

 

[ladder13]

I'm never buying another Smith until they bring back the long action hammers and Triplelocks

 

[TheMystro]

My 1978 Model 29 came in a cardboard box. I would like S&W to stay with the cardboard boxes. I think only a very few ever use their plastic box for regular storage. I wish they stopped supplying cable locks.

 

[N4KVE]

You guys who just got guns in plastic boxes, What is the date on the envelope with the empty casing? I'm asking because all the boxes we've gotten at the shop in the last 2 years are blue cardboard, except the newest Bodyguards w/o the laser which are black & red. GARY

 

[supan0va]

You guys who just got guns in plastic boxes, What is the date on the envelope with the empty casing? I'm asking because all the boxes we've gotten at the shop in the last 2 years are blue cardboard, except the newest Bodyguards w/o the laser which are black & red. GARY

My mp9c had a test fire date of 12/8/13, came in a blue plastic box

 

[Bkreutz]

You guys who just got guns in plastic boxes, What is the date on the envelope with the empty casing? I'm asking because all the boxes we've gotten at the shop in the last 2 years are blue cardboard, except the newest Bodyguards w/o the laser which are black & red. GARY

I bought 2 M&P's last year (9c and a Pro Core), both came in plastic boxes. (they were both test fired last year, 1 in Feb. and 1 in June) Personally, it doesn't matter to me, when I get a new gun, it comes out of the packaging, the packaging and the other stuff it comes with go onto a shelf in the gun room. The only time it goes back in is when I sell it (which never seems to happen).

 

[runwiththeherd]

I was at a show Saturday and chatted with a S&W sales rep. He stated all new guns will eventually come in the cardboard box. Performance Center guns will be the exception.

 

[N4KVE]

I wish they stopped supplying cable locks.

At work by the door, there is a trash can filled with these cable locks from recently purchased guns. It's there for the convenience of the customers. However, should anyone need an extra, they can grab one too. GARY

 

[Modeler]

You guys who just got guns in plastic boxes, What is the date on the envelope with the empty casing? I'm asking because all the boxes we've gotten at the shop in the last 2 years are blue cardboard, except the newest Bodyguards w/o the laser which are black & red. GARY

My 9C and 9L both have dates from January 2014 and came in blue plastic. All the M&P's at the shop where I work come in blue plastic, while the Bodyguards and Shields come in blue cardboard.

Not sure why/how you're getting full sized M&P's in cardboard.