Gun Boxes

[rbernie]

Cardboard box? Sometimes, but mostly not - especially not for a cheap gun. Plastic box? Firm yes.

 

[Demi-human]

I really don’t think anyone is going to be looking for a VR-80 “LNIB”, by the time I’m done with it.

None of my ARs came in a company logo-ed box. Though some parts did.

My single new S&W revolver came in a smashed and torn box, they were unwilling to negotiate on it…

I don’t think I’d pay extra just to recycle another cardboard box.

Some came with boxes, some with plastic cases, which I also don’t use. Not even for the range.
For the life of me, I can’t figure why I keep them. I will, invariably, forget I have them when divesting myself of them.

I also hate scope boxes…

 

[FL-NC]

I only save if they are a plastic case designed to be used for storage.

 

[Mark 40]

I keep the boxes and seek out boxes and manuals for used guns I've acquired without them. Not necessarily expecting added value, but like everything complete, just my preference.

 

[AlexanderA]

If you are going to get rid of the box, I would suggest putting it on ebay rather than simply throwing it out. There's a thriving market, especially, for Colt and S&W boxes.

Back in the 1970's, I did throw out the box my 2nd Generation Colt SAA came in, because it was shopworn. Recently, I checked ebay for a replacement box. There are reproduction Stagecoach boxes selling for several times what I originally paid for the gun itself! I can't bring myself to pay that much for a box.

 

[tws3b2]

I save the boxes. But, the last gun I bought "Taurus g3c" came in cardboard. I still have it but its been over 6 months. Thinking of tossing it.

 

[SwampWolf]

The only way I wouldn’t save a box would be if I were 100% sure I was never going to sell or trade it in the future.

I agree; so much so that when, many years ago in an effort to reduce clutter in the attic, I tossed several factory boxes but only from rifles that I was positively certain I would never sell or trade in the future. Two things became clear to me later: one, nothing is ever "100% sure" and, two, I got to be 78 years old. I would advise folks to keep those boxes if for no other reason than to add value (and history/provenance) for the eventual disposition of your collection to your spouse, children, friends or other loved ones. Doesn't cost anything to keep the boxes which, in most cases, will add at least a little value for some guns and, in some cases, will add a lot of value for some guns.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Keep all boxes; and manuals and locks and other crap.

 

[jdc1244]

I was always told you throw away $50 with the box

In some cases, you could be throwing away the sale altogether.

Buyers find it compelling that you have the original box with matching serial number, that they’ll be only the second owner.

It’s not that I plan on selling my guns – but you never know; and my sons will likely sell my rimfire target rifles after I’m gone.

And it’s good to have the box in case the guns need to go back for repair.

 

[Slamfire]

I just looked for the ebay seller who was selling like new Registered S&W 357 Magnum boxes for several hundred dollars. Obviously they were Chinese reproductions, but the buyers may have been the smart ones. Let a box sit around for a decade, collect a little dust, a little wear, people will forget when the repo's were introduced, and then you can ask what this seller wants for one:

https://saltlakecollectibles.com/pr...-registered-magnum-box-pre-war-type-ii-large/

 

[Mullo98]

I'll save them if the logo or something is on it. But most of mine been plain brown boxes. So in the trash they went

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Yeah, I've saved them.
Why?, my Dad said so decades ago.
Whether monetary value or an heirloom, I don't care.
I think the cardboard ones have a value. And papers!
Plastics are nice.
I'll let my kids decide when I pass.

 

[Chevelle SS]

I save my hard cases that handguns sometimes come in, but the boxes end up being recycled. Long gun boxes get recycled. I do have a gold S&W box for a M27(no dash). Last I checked (several years ago) it was worth $100.

I have one of those boxes, but for the pre 27. The box is kind of heavy though.......

 

[FROGO207]

Not that I buy many brand new firearms anyway but I do save the boxes. If for no other reason than being able to ship a different firearm back in a box that is somewhat the correct size and shape.

 

[aaaaa]

I have never tossed out a box. I put them between the floor joists in my basement. A thumbtack on each side with a string in the middle will hold them up.

I have three handguns and three boxes. The boxes are between the floor joists. Laying on top of a wall instead of strung up. There always is someplace to stash things like this. Besides, I keep all the paperwork and other stuff that came with the gun like the keys for locking S&W revolvers, and the stock grip if I changed it out.

 

[aaaaa]

I bought a S&W 686 Plus revolver a couple weeks ago that still has the original box, casing from the shell fired at the factory (still sealed in an envelope) , tags that were on it at the store, manual, NRA ad,, etc. It gives me the feeling that the previous owner cared for this gun. The guy at the store who cut the deal for me (cash I got 10% off asking price) said they have worked with this customer before and he had to get rid of it because of a divorce and declining health. But the box, that to me was a great bonus in buying this gun.

 

[herrwalther]

I throw out the cardboard ones. Hard cases, nope.

 

[Ethan Verity]

Yes, I save every gun box. They are stacked high in the closet, but with order to them. I use the box to store spare parts for that specific gun... things like new springs, extractors, pins, screws...

 

[lightman]

Thanks for the replys everyone!

My oldest Son and Grandson finished getting everything down out of the attic this morning. I had 35 gun boxes, a bunch of scope boxes and even a box from a large Dillon tumbler that was full of pistol grip boxes with the original grips in them! (I was wondering where they were) Several of the gun boxes were for guns that I bought the boys over the years. One of them wants his boxes and one doesn't. I'll be keeping mine. I've upgraded scopes a few times over the years and the original box makes a good mailer. I'll add some bubblewrap to the scope, wrap the box in brown paper like a Christmas gift and tape it really well.

 

[GoWolfpack]

You're playing this weird game we all play where none of us really wants the box, but somebody else might so we better hang on to it for the hypothetical future buyer. Not sure if I'll be able to sell this Glock if I don't have the box.

Weirdly like comic books and baseball cards, boxes have very little real value because everyone keeps them and for most regular production guns a box adds little to a sale. It only opens up the pool of potential buyers to include those who only want a gun that includes the box. Because later on when they sell it they want to have the box.

If everyone started throwing away boxes and used guns with boxes were suddenly rare, then boxes would be valuable again then everyone would start hanging onto them.

The worst thing about selling a guns without the box is dealing with the cheapskate buyers who think you should sell for 50% off because it doesn't have the box. No, my pinned and recessed model 29 is worth more then $300, even without the box.

 

[luzyfuerza]

For only the second time in my life, I just bought a handgun made by Taurus. A TX-22. It comes highly recommended.

But until this TX-22 is thoroughly tested and has a few thousand rounds through it, this is one cardboard box I'll keep around for a while...Taurus' bad reputation for needing factory attention is hard to overcome.

 

[earlthegoat2]

If I buy a gun that is so new that it comes with the box, I am probably not buying the right gun. So, I will keep that box for a few months before inevitably sell it off.

The only new gun I have ever bought was my Ruger American Ranch and I do still have the box for it. Probably won’t sell it at this point though.

The only other box I have is for my S&W 17-3. I got the box after I bought it though on a total lark. Probably added a hundred or so to the value but it shoot that gun a lot so that probably doesn’t matter.

 

[DTL]

I have about 8 hard handgun boxes & two S&W PC boxes in a footlocker in the garage. All have whatever extras a gun ships with except mags and manuals.

 

[230RN]

I store any boxes for handguns, but keep the literature separate. I store the guns themselves in regular hard plastic handgun boxes. I don't have any boxes for long guns but I rarely buy new rifles anyhow.

Some jurisdictions require two locks on cases? Talk about paranoid lawmakers... and they have the b...s to call us paranoid !

Terry, 230RN

 

[AlexanderA]

Keep all boxes; and manuals and locks and other crap.

The cable locks have become collectibles in themselves! (The ones with the manufacturers' logos on them.) Again, something you can put on ebay.