Bucky, don't you mean the E1 instead of the E2 you thought you were getting?
I'm all for minimal "protective" packaging!
Certainly if I walk into a shop, It'd be nice to have a clam-packed with colourful inlay... For "display" purposes atleast...
The minimal utility packing gives SureFire a tougher "to-be-used" feel rather than a "This-should-be-kept-in-the-packaging-you-bought-it-in" impression!
When I ordered from Botach [never again], I got the same heavy-duty plastic (heat-sealed I think) just like the replacement Lamp Modules etc. The E1, M2 and stuff I bought from a shop came in this clam-pack which was a real pain to open.
The gift boxes and the "Owner Handbooks" are classy though... When I buy SureFire's for gifts, I'll get 'em...