Gun Boxes - Am I A Hoarder?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Help me settle an internal debate! Right now I have a number of cardboard rifle boxes and plastic blow-molded pistol boxes taking up space in a closet. Guns are in the safe and I have dedicated bags when I go to the range. Odds are that I’ll never sell or trade any of them, because let’s be honest you can never have too many. I don’t have anything that rates as rare or collectible. Is there any good reason for me to keep these things?

[masraum]

Cardboard boxes, meh. blow-molded boxes, sure, why not.

But I guess that may depend upon how many you have. If it's a room or walk in closet that's unusable because it's full, then maybe you need to figure something out, but if it's just a corner of a closet, then why not.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by masraum

Cardboard boxes, meh. blow-molded boxes, sure, why not.

+1, the molded boxes can be handy (I use some of those for storage) but the cardboard boxes are trash. Maybe pull off the stickers on any cardboard boxes if they have codes or unique references, kind of like keeping the window sticker from a car.

[Bill Douglas]

If I buy a gun then unexpectedly get the original box I'm delighted.

That reminds me, about a year after I bought a model 60 the guy came around with the box (including cleaning brush and manual) he found stashed in the attic.

[JavaBrewer]

Hi Matt, fun to see you rejoin the patients here 😂

Short answer I toss cardboard boxes and keep the plastic cases…normally associated with hand guns and specialty long guns. I am older than you by a bit so declutter is on my agenda. I have zipper soft cases for everything else.

[HobieMarty]

I'd keep them because I like to have the box with an item if it is a special thing to me, but that's just me.

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[varmint]

If you’re collecting Star Wars toys the original packaging is huge. A gun collector might be happy, but not enough to pay more.

[911boost]

I was just thinking about this the other day!

I have both cardboard and plastic etc. for some of mine, but primarily always keep the plastic ones. They are in a corner of a closet as well or under my spare bed. If I am keeping the plastic for the long guns I just put it back in the cardboard one (FN SCAR for example where I could see someone wanting the cardboard).

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, just a plan old cardboard box, toss it in the recycle bin. The plastic cases or blow molded boxes, keep them. Maybe write which gun goes in which box on the side of the box.

[masraum]

I would be willing to spend more for something like this



But if i was buying an average spoon (Glock, Sig, CZ, etc...), having the box/stuff would not entice me to pay more. If I was spending a bunch for a modern high end $$$ piece then I'd expect it to come with the box.

Kind of like expecting a Toyota, Honda, Chevy to be "WYSIWYG" vs a McLaren, Ferrari, Porsche having the owner's manual, tool kit, both keys, etc....

[onewhippedpuppy]

My wife thanks you all! She keeps asking me why I’m keeping these stupid boxes….

[911boost]

Exactly Steve! I know my Ex-Father in Law wishes he kept the box for his original Python as it is worth less without the box. Of course if that goes anywhere but to my son I will be disappointed so it ultimately will not hurt.

On a side note, the "box" my Barrett came in is a Pelican Case, pretty cool.

[rwest]

Just another quick thought, if someone broke into your house and saw the boxes, would they now know that it is likely that there are guns in your house and have more reason to stay longer to try and find them?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by rwest

Just another quick thought, if someone broke into your house and saw the boxes, would they now know that it is likely that there are guns in your house and have more reason to stay longer to try and find them?

Valid question, in my case they are stored in the same area so probably moot. Regardless the cardboard ones are headed to the dumpster after being discreetly broken down.

[GH85Carrera]

My parents kept the boxes for many appliance and gizmos they bought over the years. They were all in the attic. We threw away a lot of boxes for crap they bought 30 years ago, and did not even have anymore. And they kept the instruction manuals for everything. I doubt they ever went back to read them.

Lots of crap to toss in their house.

[herr_oberst]

As someone who saves boxes for -quote unquote - "my treasures" , but not being a gun enthusiast, I have an honest question; how much more would this be to a collector



than this, do you think?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

My parents kept the boxes for many appliance and gizmos they bought over the years. They were all in the attic. We threw away a lot of boxes for crap they bought 30 years ago, and did not even have anymore. And they kept the instruction manuals for everything. I doubt they ever went back to read them.

Lots of crap to toss in their house.

We (my parents and I) kept boxes and instructions for everything too. I think that was because we moved every 2-3 years, so it was good to be able to put stuff back in the original packing/boxes and have the instructions in case you needed them when setting stuff up in a new location or needing to check if some appliance could be switched between 110 and 220v or 60 Hz and 50 Hz. We went to Japan twice. Most of our stuff was switchable, but I think my parents fried a mixer the first time we moved because of the different power provided in Japan.

I still keep some boxes and some manuals, but then do occasionally prune boxes/manuals that are no longer needed/useful.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

As someone who saves boxes for -quote unquote - "my treasures" , but not being a gun enthusiast, I have an honest question; how much more would this be to a collector



than this, do you think?

I wouldn't pay more or less if it did or did not have the cardboard box. I would not pay as much if it didn't have the presentation box, tools, and paperwork. I may have purchased something similar that came with everything except the cardboard box. It was new and seemed unfired other than maybe at the factory.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nothing I own came in a fancy wood box, and nothing is unfired. So I’m probably good.

[berettafan]

literally have gun boxes falling on my head in the garage. always good to keep ESPECIALLY if you end up having to ship.