So...what is the big deal about a box?

[NH Old School]

Yeah, but they DON'T have "little practical value", that fact has been attested to here several times. The tangible, cash value of many older guns is often significantly increased by having the factory box, and I know for a fact, from many private sales,trades and purchases, that a good many people consider it a major plus to have the original box and extras.
If you can have these benefits, for merely the effort of tossing them in a big box up in the attic and forgetting about them, there's no rational reason not to.

I said "practical value" not "collector value" or "monetary value". You misread my post. By "practical value" I mean its functional value as a container for storing and/or transporting the firearm and its accessories. I seldom use original boxes for that purpose even if I bought the gun new. It's usually more convenient to use something else, like a gun rug or an aftermarket case. Apart from that, I'd just as soon keep the original box in pristine condition for when I sell the gun. If you read the rest of my post you would realize that I agree that having the original box, papers, and accessories does and should increase the value of a used firearm.

 

[Dparker]

Yeah guess you can say I prefer the boxes with my 3rd gens!!!

 

[Tradewind36]

When I bought my Shield I never realized keeping the cardboard box was a "thing". I tossed it but keep the plastic ones.

 

[opaul]

I have the original box for the 6904 I just recently picked up, but what is missing is the interior cardboard retainer and the little plastic trigger mount (for lack of a better description).
I'm tying to find one of those but I'm sure finding one will be a needle in a hay stack. Yeah, I know but it is what it is

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Don't post much I see..........

 

[TTSH]

Yeah guess you can say I prefer the boxes with my 3rd gens!!!

My hero!!!

 

[Laketime]

I know the box is important to a lot of people,but I'm in the minority on this.I have always bought a gun based on fit, finish and condition,and not based on being a complete package.I know a lot of people who keep their guns in pristine condition in a climate controlled safe.Boxes are an easy thing to over look when moving ( just ask me ).Presentation cases are a different story.If someone needs to see a box to validate the gun being taken care of,this might be the wrong hobby to be in.The exception to this would be an on line sale where you cannot handle the gun.

 

[Sevens]

I know the box is important to a lot of people,but I'm in the minority on this.

You are absolutely in the minority but you have plenty of folks with you. I believe, when stated in the way that you have... we could all get along far better. Us "box" guys can't make you "blah, box, whatever" guys care about the box and honestly, we have no intention to do so.

What most of us can't waste our time and energy with are the folks who simply deny the REALITY of the market. It is demonstrated fact (over and over and over) that the box matters in the real world market. As long as both groups can agree on that, there is no further reason to knock heads on the subject.

If someone needs to see a box to validate the gun being taken care of,this might be the wrong hobby to be in.

I don't think "need" is the proper or accurate word here. The box is a more tangible, physical item than the "story" that comes with a used gun. Many folks have said endlessly that you buy the gun and not the story and I think many or most of us would all hand select the BETTER handgun by grade or condition no matter if the more beat-up or loose, used, worn, knocked around handgun had the box. To each his own.

But the box paints a picture -- much like the "story" but it's a tangible, physical item. And as said eloquently above, there are less boxes out there (with proper end label serialed to the gun) than the handguns themselves. That's a fact.

Anyone who believes the original, proper, numbered box does not matter simply HAS to be speaking about their own preference because that statement otherwise does not reflect the real world market we live in. Not even close.

 

[Laketime]

You are absolutely in the minority but you have plenty of folks with you. I believe, when stated in the way that you have... we could all get along far better. Us "box" guys can't make you "blah, box, whatever" guys care about the box and honestly, we have no intention to do so.

What most of us can't waste our time and energy with are the folks who simply deny the REALITY of the market. It is demonstrated fact (over and over and over) that the box matters in the real world market. As long as both groups can agree on that, there is no further reason to knock heads on the subject.

I don't think "need" is the proper or accurate word here. The box is a more tangible, physical item than the "story" that comes with a used gun. Many folks have said endlessly that you buy the gun and not the story and I think many or most of us would all hand select the BETTER handgun by grade or condition no matter if the more beat-up or loose, used, worn, knocked around handgun had the box. To each his own.

But the box paints a picture -- much like the "story" but it's a tangible, physical item. And as said eloquently above, there are less boxes out there (with proper end label serialed to the gun) than the handguns themselves. That's a fact.

Anyone who believes the original, proper, numbered box does not matter simply HAS to be speaking about their own preference because that statement otherwise does not reflect the real world market we live in. Not even close.

As I said,I'm in the minority on this.No where did I say boxes were not a reality,not sure how you drew that conclusion.But you have to admit the majority feel a box indicates a well taken care of firearm over one without a box.This is just simply not always true.Most people that I know of who have discarded a box or two is because they have no intention on ever selling the piece they cherish.As opposed to someone who might have cowboy- ed the gun but have all the paper work along with the box. I'm just offering the OP another position on the topic regardless of who might disagree.

 

[TTSH]

...the majority feel a box indicates a well taken care of firearm over one without a box. This is just simply not always true.

That is a correct statement. In my (admittedly limited) experience, it's only true about 95% of the time.

 

[Laketime]

That is a correct statement. In my (admittedly limited) experience, it's only true about 95% of the time.

Yes limited experience ,but you will pick up some the longer you stay at it.I'm from your state and have bought many N Frames with a presentation case,without the box or paper work to go with it.Again I focus on condition of the gun,not the wrappings.I guess having the box will make a novice feel safe to buy.

 

[TTSH]

I guess having the box will make a novice feel safe to buy.

Yes! We "novices" need all the help we can get!

 

[Sevens]

I compliment you on your post -- and you read things in my post and were some how able to find yourself criticized and mildly miffed.

Hmmm. Yeah, it's probably you.

Meh.

 

[Laketime]

I compliment you on your post -- and you read things in my post and were some how able to find yourself criticized and mildly miffed.

Hmmm. Yeah, it's probably you.

Meh.

Well you did take it upon yourself to educate me on something I never said.The OP asked a question.I answered to let him know that there are plenty of people who are not obsessed with buying a complete package.As for not buying a story....never had a story come with over 132 used guns.Then again I never buy from a gun show.I don't have a problem with someone wanting a box,as long as they don't care if I don't need one .

 

[lawdog530]

With everyone's opinions stated on this subject, I'm still going to throw away my boxes.

 

[timn8er]

There are none so deaf as those who will not listen.

Who cares? the only one losing out is you.

 

[Sevens]

^Truth. And with every single box you can manage to acquire AND throw out, the end result is to only FURTHER their strength in the market.

 

[1angrycat]

What can I add, keep the box, they are valuable.

 

[iibgdi]

I am one that feels the need to keep the box. BUT!

I am trying to figure out what I should do with the manuals and paperwork, the test fired round and even the lock.

The locks I plan to just keep all in a ammo box together.

The boxes I am just stacking them together (empty) in my storage area.

With the manuals etc I may just use a gallon size zip lock bag for each one separately and put in a small file cabinet like thingy.

I am curious what some of you other OCD maniacs do or plan to do

Doubt I ever sell

 

[TTSH]

I am curious what some of you other OCD maniacs do or plan to do.

The only thing better than getting the original factory box with your used gun is getting the original factory box and everything that came in it. Ya done good.