In the under-$1000 new safes, it's very difficult to find one with decent fire rating. Many are 30 minutes to reach 350 degrees in a 1200 degree fire, and some of those start the timer when they start the furnace. Unless you have sprinklers or a rapid response time from the fire dept (AND they're not on another call) it simply isn't enough. One way around that is to buy a small fire safe/lockbox and put it inside the gun safe for cash, jewelry, and papers. If your guns are replaceable, insurance coverage on them (if you have it!) will do the rest.
I started with a rebranded Cannon. It was all I could justify when I bought it. As my collection grew and my wife wanted to start locking paperwork away, I added a couple of Bighorns from Costco. Then she inherited some jewelry, and it's sentimental value far exceeds the market value. I asked her if she'd be happy with an insurance settlement if it were stolen, or a pubble of gold and silver if we had a fire....and suddenly she was fine with the cost of a better safe.
Better protection is heavier, bulkier, and more expensive. At under $1000, there isn't much difference among brands. You need to consider the value of the proposed contents, and the risk factors you wish to mitigate. If you are protecting three Glocks and a Mossy 500 from typical residental smash-and-grab thieves, it's hard to justify spending thousands. OTOH, if you have several thousands of dollars invested in guns, jewelry, or cash, have family heirlooms, or want better fire protection, you strike a different balance. Like most things in life, one make/model/size doesn't work for everyone.
I wanted to replace two 19 cu.ft. Costco specials with something with at least 90 minutes of fire protection, and walls thick enough to stand up to a fireaxe. I also wanted 6' tall, for added space and convenience. I also knew that I wouldn't be sliding a handtruck under this one and setting it in place all by myself, so I preferred a local dealer.
The range where I am a member displays Liberty safes for the local dealer, and highly recommends them for excellent service. I'd shopped there before, and not had a real good feeling about them, but I gave them a try. I was pleased with the salesperson/owner, and probably got a better feeling because I'd done enough research to be a bit more comfortable and ask better questions.
They also carry a few Fort Knox safes, some Brahma imports, and some Summit safes. I found the Summit Denali the most appealing, and (after a couple trips down there and more research online) was debating 50 vs 60 cu.ft. The wife had specified a textured finish (that was a surprise) and the dealer was down to one of each size in textured gray. As I tried to reach a decision, another buyer snagged the 50, which made the decision easier!
The Denali 60 was delivered the following Saturday. It's 50x27x72", plus the lock and handle, and 1700 lbs empty. 2 hr at 1500 degrees fire protection. S&G mechanical lock, interior lights with internal motion sensor. They unloaded it with a liftgate, and moved it with a pair of pallet jacks. They did no damage whatsoever to my house, floors, or the safe - it waqs well worth the delivery charge. They shimmed the front, drilled the floor and bolted it down.
I figure the safe set me back about 15% of the value of the contents. To me, it made sense.
