Quoted:
I know, I know.. it's just an RSC.
But what brands are the best for real budgets (<$1500)?
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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.