Why a hard shell case? Because your application is demanding and you want to protect what's inside. Pure and simple...
Re. the different brands...
A lot of the Pelican molds have been around for 10+ years.
Pelican self certifies to the applicable mil. specs vs. paying big bucks for independent lab testing. They've been called on it, because their old style latches are prone to popping open when drop tested cold.
Better designs have come along since. The key is to keep the strength and decrease the weight.
The latch on the storm case is nicer.
Pelican buying Hardigg was a huge mistake on their part. They failed to do due diligence and found out afterwards that the Storm molds were not compatible with their injection molding equipment in CA. So they couldn't close down the Hardigg plants in MA to save $$. They are also leveraged on the deal big, big, big time. So they bring in some president bozo who's one of the architects of Microsoft’s power play market manipulation scheme and start back stabbing some of their oldest distributors. Then guess what they do???? Shocker, they whack the market with huge price increases.
The case industry is full of collusion and market manipulation, and several state attorney generals are looking into Pelican's acquisition of Hardigg. The key is government contracts.... and these crooks routinely put 200% or higher mark up on the items they provide to Uncle Sam.... while throwing their weight around to crush any potential competition.
Check out the Explorer line of injection molded cases. They are the newest molds and they are very well designed.... light, strong, poly pro., an excellent catch, etc... The lid design allows you to open the lid to a set angle, or completely remove it.
Ameripack in NJ, is the principal distributor the them. Google around and you'll find them
Yes... as you may have guessed, I work in the industrial shipping container industry... and no, I'm not on the tab for any of the companies I mentioned... though we buy, customize and resell cases from all of them. And yes.... I do have a chip on my shoulder towards Pelican.
edited to add..
SKB also makes a nice case...
Underwater Kinetics is still moding out of ABS and their cases are among the heaviest.
Whatever you do.... be carefull regarding the foam inside, as the polyurethane will outgas for some time and the gases are trapped in that nice water tight case. I had a muzzle loader I built from a kit stored long term in a Pelican case with a poly-urethane foam set and had the blueing corrode
I'd suggest airing the foam out for a good long time and then placing your guns in a gun sock prior to putting them in the case. Desicant and VCI paper or emitters will help as well.