I know, I know.. it's just an RSC.

But what brands are the best for real budgets (<$1500)?

For that budget, Liberty all the way. I love my Fatboy Jr.

Winchester makes a great safe for the money, I would check out the Ranger Series, this one is just under $1,100 with free curbside: https://www.amazon.com/Winchester-Ranger-Dial-Safe-Gunmetal/dp/B06X6LTWF7/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1511910439&sr=8-2&keywords=ranger+winchester+gun+safe&linkCode=sl1&tag=expertsaferev-20&linkId=c5f37ef206fccd6050517368e33ab085

If you want more than a 26 gun capacity, they have two additional sizes here: https://www.amazon.com/Winchester-RANGER-26-BLACK-DIAL/dp/B073S68L6R/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1511910439&sr=8-5&keywords=ranger+winchester+gun+safe&linkCode=sl1&tag=expertsaferev-20&linkId=979e6f45c9a3375f26a7108dfc074e01

Also, for the price, I really like the Steelwater Gun Safes, great value and low cost: https://www.amazon.com/Steelwater-Gun-Protection-Minutes-AMLD593024-blk/dp/B00W4FC6IS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1511911220&sr=8-34-spons&keywords=gun+safe&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=expertsaferev-20&linkId=20c45f37ae966b949c1dfb66512a50d6

Let me know if you have any questions!

I got a 24 gun at tsc for 299 on Black Friday

It's a solid safe

I like Amsec products -- even their lower end safes like the FV series has a little more steel in the door (3/16" plate) than most other offerings.

At that price point any, safe that comes with a Sargent and Greenleaf lock "S&G".

What do you want it to do?

What threats are you wanting to protect from?

For how long?

Do you have other lines of defense (i.e. reinforced locks and hinges, alarm system, large dog, more readily pawned valuables in the path of the thief, insurance, etc.) or will the safe be the only thing protecting its contents?

At my retirement property, I only want to keep kids who might be in the house from time to time away from the guns.  The guns themselves are all common types that could be replaced with a trip to Academy or Bass Pro.  The guns are insured (added to my homeowner's policy it costs $12 a year).  The closet it is in has a locking door.   To reach the closet where the safe is located a thief has to walk past more valuable, less traceable items than guns.  So, I considered a $99 Stack-On safe more than adequate to protect my guns from even the most mischievous family members.

On the other hand, at my home in the suburbs, I have two guns that are virtually irreplaceable.  The guns are insured.  The house has an alarm.  The windows are barred.  The doors have pins that extend into the jamb when closed.  The safe was one step down from Sears Best in 1988.  To get to it, a thief has to walk past two Thinkpad laptops.  So far this has worked well.  When the laptops get stolen, I just check the local pawn shops and buy them back for a few bucks.