I have been a long time Sig fan. Recently I had the opportunity to add an uncommon nickel version of my favorite, the 228. Should I store it in the box? Will the foam in the box hurt it?
Thanks

As long as the foam is not contaminated with any cleaners, especially containing ammonia*, and you do not put the pistol in the box without cleaning and lubing it, you should have no issues.
And keeping it in a stable climate controlled enviornment. (In a safe with a golden rod for example.)


*
Nickel plate is copper on the base metal, then nickel on the copper then chromium on the nickel.

Ammonia breaks the bond on the copper and that causes the plating to break down, peel/flake and corrosion to the base metal.

I wouldn't store it in the box. In a safe with a dehumidifier is your best bet. I should add stored on a rack. I use the ones that insert in the barrel and are covered in vinyl. I keep my boxes in my closet in the house. IMO.

OH-MY What a beautiful pistol. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the photos

It is a beautiful P228. Color me envy green!

Very nice catch. A true classic. Personally, I wouldn't store it in the box as moisture can get in there and ruin a nice gun. I would put it in a safe where it would have air all around it and not discolor.

The grey box era factory nickel guns have always caught my eye. Nice score!

I’ll take it. Wait, what’s the price? Whatever, it’s fine.

As a rule, I never store my firearms inside of anything that can trap moisture. This includes padded cases, original factory boxes, holsters and etc. Factory boxes, especially those which are cardboard, are stored separately to protect the condition of the box as well as the firearm.

That box and foam are in great shape, store it away from that box.

Congratulations

If your house is climate controlled you shouldn't have a problem with the foam box, but if it gets humid in your area and in your home I wouldn't.

You might not shoot that gun for years, and you'll fondle it with salt and oils from your fingers, then put it back in the box and next year when you go to fondle it you might see some surface rust because you fingered it.

Even in a gun shop with air conditioning occasionally the humidity would be too much for the air handler, coupled with people handling guns then not wiping them down with an oily rag and we would get surface rust on guns.

So it's a judgement call on your home air conditioning, climate in your area and your dedication to not getting the nickel to sit on a foam collecting moisture.

I wouldn't and my basement is climate controlled at 70 year round. But I spent good money getting multiple classic series guns nickel plated and might be a little biased in taking care of them.

assuming we are talking longer term storage. VCI bag and not in the box.

I would not recommend long term storage in the box. A few years ago I moved to a new house and transported my guns in their original cases. Unfortunately they sat in their cases for about 6 months in my garage. When I finally got around to setting everything up properly I found my 226 in this condition. The foam had begun to break down and clumped up on the pistol. Fortunately it cleaned up just fine.

I don’t know if it was oil on the gun or just old age that caused the breakdown. The case was not the original but an old style gray one provided by Sig I when I sent it for maintenance years before. I bought it used without a box/case. In my case, I think the case was old and had been stored empty in my garage for years exposed to heat/humidity and cold changes.

All my SIGs are stored well oiled, inside plastic bag (double usually), inside the factory boxes, in the safe (inside house) with plenty of dessicant. Not a problem. Foam breakdown? None. Ymmv.

What 12131 stated works very well. Another method for the OPs battery are pistol storage VCI bags. I see packs of 10 on Amazon for $14.40 which have the zip lock like sandwich bags. The bags are treated. I like the VCI bags and the added protection of silicone wipes or spray on the guns exterior surfaces. Silicone and VCI bags will keep your guns finish safe. Nice thing about those zip locks is one can check in from time to time and reclose the bag.