Firearms Packaging

How do you prefer guns to come packaged from the factory?

  • Cardboard box

  • Plastic Case (similar to those included with Glocks)

  • TSA-Approved Case (such as Pelican)

  • Nylon Case

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giggitygiggity

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New guns, particularly handguns, may come in one of a number of containers, the first two seeming to be the most common.

1) A non-TSA approved plastic case
2) A cardboard box
3) A TSA-approved case (such as a pelican or the like)
4) A nylon case

I suspect that the cardboard box is the cheapest while the TSA-approved cases are the most expensive. Understanding that the packaging/case is rolled into the price of the product, what kind of packaging/case would you prefer to receive when you buy a gun?

Please note that I am not asking what case is best nor am I asking which you prefer. I am asking if you would rather pay more for a gun and receive a nicer case or pay less and receive possibly a cardboard box as the packaging?

Personally, I’d rather pay less and the gun come in a cardboard box as even if the manufacturer provided a nicer case, it may not suit my preferences.
 
I've so rarely bought a new gun, I can't honestly answer the poll, but of the guns I've gotten a box/case with, the "Pelican" type is by far the nicest. I suppose the cost of that nice case is rolled up into what you pay for the whole package. The EMP4's I have came in that type of case; I got a couple of 1911's in the non-TSA plastic case, haven't gotten a gun in a soft case yet, and I try to find the cardboard boxes when I buy an older S&W revolver, because the box most times has a good value on it. But, I don't really NEED a box or case, because I keep the guns hung in a safe, and have a carry case for going to the range that will hold three handguns, magazines and ammo. Storing a gun in the box is an invitation to corrosion, IMO, moisture can't escape and you tend to ignore the gun when you don't see it. All mine are in view when I open the safe, and I "play" with them regularly, wiping them down and staying familiar with handling.
 
giggitygiggity said:
New guns, particularly handguns, may come in one of a number of containers, the first two seeming to be the most common.

1) A non-TSA approved plastic case
2) A cardboard box
3) A TSA-approved case (such as a pelican or the like)
4) A nylon case

I suspect that the cardboard box is the cheapest while the TSA-approved cases are the most expensive. Understanding that the packaging/case is rolled into the price of the product, what kind of packaging/case would you prefer to receive when you buy a gun?

Please note that I am not asking what case is best nor am I asking which you prefer. I am asking if you would rather pay more for a gun and receive a nicer case or pay less and receive possibly a cardboard box as the packaging?

Personally, I’d rather pay less and the gun come in a cardboard box as even if the manufacturer provided a nicer case, it may not suit my preferences.
Click to expand...
there are features that the TSA approve for aircrafts travel but there are no such TSA approved case that the TSA when through and said “Yes, we approve that make & model.

hard side case, 2 locks, and with the lock in - you can’t wiggle your finger in the case.
 
Depends on how "disposable" the firearm is...

Glock in a Glock Case. PSG-1 in a PSG-1 Suitcase with all the trappings.
 
A Pelican-style case is overkill. (Too bulky, too expensive.)

Cardboard is the other extreme.

I would prefer a molded case specific to the gun, such as those that came with Rock River AR's, certain Remington long guns, Ruger Mark II's/III's, etc. Failing that, a generic Plano-style case.
 
First, there is no list of any "TSA-approved case".........just what TSA requires.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition
You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted. Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported in checked baggage.

Contact the TSA Contact Center with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in your carry-on or checked baggage.

Firearms
When traveling, comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
If you are traveling internationally with a firearm in checked baggage, please check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information and requirements prior to travel.
Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.
Bringing an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition to the security checkpoint carries the same civil penalty/fine as bringing a loaded firearm to the checkpoint. You may find information on civil penalties at the Civil Enforcement page.
Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.
Click to expand...

That said, a standard Glock plastic box most certainly meets the above requirements if a padlock is used to secure the box from being opened.

But giggity, I agree, I think a small cardboard box does just fine for the majority of buyers. Springfield and FN used to have the most useless box designs that were easily three times larger than the pistol and accessories inside. Now FN uses these neat softsideed range bags.
 
I don't care- I have enough soft cases for vehicle transport, and pelicans of different sizes from handgun to sniper system if I need a serious case lockable for air travel, etc.
 
Air travel, I got 2 pelican, one small for light travel, one medium for moderate travel.

I like pelican because they are tough and only real Mall Ninja use Pelican
 
I don't use the factory box/case for transport or storage, so cardboard is OK with me.
 
if it truly brings down the price and the manufacturer not just wanting to increase his margin then cardboard it is. my most expensive pistols came in a cardboard box. Les Baers. i bring the guns to the range in a small pistol range bag that is less bulky than the typical gun manufacturer gun case. since other handguns came with cases i bring those but not the revolvers their plastic cases are too big.
 
I prefer the plastic case as it can double not only for storage but also as a means to take the gun to the range.

I have noticed with my last two purchases both of them have come in cardboard boxes and with one of them the gun itself wasn't even secured by anything (like a divider or a post) within the box. It was just sliding around inside there.

I was not impressed by this method of packaging.
 
roval said:
if it truly brings down the price and the manufacturer not just wanting to increase his margin then cardboard it is. my most expensive pistols came in a cardboard box. Les Baers. i bring the guns to the range in a small pistol range bag that is less bulky than the typical gun manufacturer gun case. since other handguns came with cases i bring those but not the revolvers their plastic cases are too big.
Click to expand...
these are the best for range and storage Pistol case. Keeps your gun organized and secure. I have one for each pistol

CE28EC6F-7B45-40D7-810A-C7781372B92C.jpeg
8D447F3E-8293-4335-8EF6-FD2AC088DE8F.jpeg
 
CEO: "Okay, so how do we package our new SIGheczhlock?"

Marketing: We need a giant box as big as a laptop computer because our pistol is so small. Buyers equate BIG BOX with BIG VALUE. We need form fitting cutouts to fill the space where the extra magazines would have gone. Instead we put in a note that says "due to the worldwide magazine shortage, we can only include one 9 round magazine. Additional magazines are available in our online store for $49 + shipping, handling and insurance." Buyers will appreciate the ability to buy extra factory magazines.

Shipping: Can we get a box that can fit in a small UPS or FedEx box?

Marketing: I want the box to be too large to be able to store in the buyers safe. I want our pistol box to be displayed prominently on the closet shelf above the safe!

Accounting: Plastic boxes cost BIG $$$ vs cardboard. We could do one color printing on brown cardboard, kinda the minimalistic look.

Advertising: Oh noes! We need four color graphics and that needs to be tied into the color scheme for next years SIGheczlock Gen 2.........pastels. Women dig pastels and so do guys and so do the nonbinary! Win-win-win!

Sales: Our distributors, dealers and retailers complain when our boxes don't fit USPS Flat Rate boxes.

Human Resources: Lets be careful and include a note inside the box that the box appreciates any firearm stored inside.

Marketing: I want a plastic box, INSIDE a cardboard box. We could put the plastic pistol, inside a plastic bag before putting it in the plastic box!

Advertising: could we have a different color box for each caliber?

Human Resources: It WOULD show our diversity!

Sales: As long as it's black, Midnight Black, Tactical Black, Ninja Black, Urban Camo Black.

CEO: What's Urban Camo Black?

Sales: Regular black with black flecks in it.

Advertising: how about Flat Dark Earth or Coyote Brown? Urban Gray?.............ooooooo..........Tundra! We could have a white box!

Human Resources: Nope, nope, nope.

Legal: Well..........technically......but we need warnings on the pistol and the box. And don't forget to leave room for the lock.

Advertising: will the lock be in one color or available in many colors?

Accounting: Colors add BIG $$$ to our cost. We currently source the locks from Wish.com for twenty five cents. Adding colors beyond black adds two cents to the price per lock......we cant absorb that BIG $$$$. But thats up to Marketing if it matters or not.

Human Resources: Black Locks Matter.

Sales: Is this lock TSA approved?

Accounting: Not likely, but it meets ATF's requirement.

CEO: Which is?

Legal: It's spelled LOCK, therefore its a lock.

Marketing: Hey! How about a discreet carry backpack.....but with our company logo embroidered in four inch lettering? We could put the BIG GUN CO in white on the Ninja Black Discreet Carry Bag.

CEO: What option costs the least, is the most useless, provides the least amount of protection? Let's go with Brandon's idea.
 
I have bought guns that came in plastic grocery bags. So I am not really picky on what the gun comes in. I prefer a hard sided, potentially locking case with foam inserts for the firearm, magazines, doodads etc.

dogtown tom said:
First, there is no list of any "TSA-approved case".........just what TSA requires.
Click to expand...
Yup. For some reason, some gun owners are convinced that TSA just buys a ton of firearm cases to test. It really should be advertised as "TSA Compliant." My go to case for flying is an older Plano case they stopped making years ago. The locks are built in so I am not losing padlocks and keys. And it doesn't look like a gun case. It looks like an older style briefcase. Can fit 4 handguns if I am doing the layout right.
 
herrwalther said:
I have bought guns that came in plastic grocery bags. So I am not really picky on what the gun comes in. I prefer a hard sided, potentially locking case with foam inserts for the firearm, magazines, doodads etc.


Yup. For some reason, some gun owners are convinced that TSA just buys a ton of firearm cases to test. It really should be advertised as "TSA Compliant." My go to case for flying is an older Plano case they stopped making years ago. The locks are built in so I am not losing padlocks and keys. And it doesn't look like a gun case. It looks like an older style briefcase. Can fit 4 handguns if I am doing the layout right.
Click to expand...
Gun in Plastic Bags! that would make the best Avatar photo !
 
On a new gun I really never gave it much if any thought. Whatever it comes in it gets removed and goes into the safe. The boxes are just piled on top of the safe and long gun boxes end up beside the safe or in the attic. Oh wait, I want every gun packaged exactly like this:

Model%2027%202%20Six%20Inch.png

Anything less is absolutely not acceptable. :)

Ron
 
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