Liberty RV23 or Cannon CA23 safe/RSC

[TheLostOtter]

Anyone have experience with either? Both seem to have rather large gaps around the frame and the door. The Cannon weighs much more but has 5 bolts whereas the Liberty has 8. Fire protection isn't a priority. I want a safe made in the US with a mechanical lock for quality and reliability reasons. I am trying to stay around $1200 or less.

I'm looking to buy my first safe and the more I learn the more I realize that many of these sub $1500 safes really are not all that strong. I know these safes will not stop a good thief but some of the ones I've seen in person seem so flimsy that even an inexperience thief could get in if given a few minutes. I plan to get a bigger and better safe down the road but one of these will hold me over for now. Any help would be appreciated.

Cannon: http://www.gunsafes.com/Cannon-CA23-Gun-Safe-24-Gun.html
Liberty: http://www.gunsafes.com/Liberty-RV23-DLX-Revere-Gun-Safe.html

 

[SilentStalker]

^^^Hey, welcome aboard. I do not have any experience with either one of the manufacturers that you are asking about so I will not be much help, but have you checked out Fort Knox Safes? They are some of the best in the business IMO before you go up to a real safe, not an RSC. Give them a look as they offer a lot more protection for the money than Liberty. Just a thought. I am in the same boat as you are and IMO any safe is better than no safe. Pair a safe with an alarm and some dogs and you cant really do much more short of having an armed guard.

 

[heeler]

LostOtter,I don't think that Cannon is made in the USA.
The Liberty model you are talking about is though.
At that price range you will be hard pressed to find American made safes.
Other safes in and around that price range to look at would be,with the knowledge that they might be imports:
Amsec SF
Superior Encore
Champion Trophy
Diamondback

Personally if it were me buying in that price I would look at units with a minimum of 12 gauge body steel and a plate steel door that uses a UL rated lock.
Between the better UL lock and a door made from solid steel instead of a built up "refrigerator" style door that is easily flexed,thus pryed, you will have a better gun safe for your money.

 

[TheLostOtter]

LostOtter,I don't think that Cannon is made in the USA.
The Liberty model you are talking about is though.
At that price range you will be hard pressed to find American made safes.
Other safes in and around that price range to look at would be,with the knowledge that they might be imports:
Amsec SF
Superior Encore
Champion Trophy
Diamondback

Personally if it were me buying in that price I would look at units with a minimum of 12 gauge body steel and a plate steel door that uses a UL rated lock.
Between the better UL lock and a door made from solid steel instead of a built up "refrigerator" style door that is easily flexed,thus pryed, you will have a better gun safe for your money.

The place I was looking at the Cannon said it was American made but I would double check before buying to make sure. I have seen the Champion and Superior safes in person and they were much sturdier than the similar priced safes I've seen at Cabelas and such. The Amsec safes I've seen have been out of my price range, at least for now.

How would you rank the Liberty I mentioned against the Champion and Superior safes you mentioned? I was told the smaller Champion Trophy safes are hecho en Mexico; not sure about the Superior but I think Encore line is too.

Thanks

 

[heeler]

I have not had the chance to look at that particular Liberty.
Liberty is well known for great customer service.
My big issue with all Liberty safes is the built up refrigerator style of door they use that has very little if any plate steel in them as well as a large gap between the door edge and jam that makes a prying attack getting started a much easier proposition.
I also dont like the fact that they use concealed hinges because this only allows around 100 degrees of door opening instead of 180 degrees.
I have an older Amsec safe that has these type of hinges and after owning it a short time I hated that limited door swing.
On the other hand my Amsec BF with outside hinges is great because I can open away from me and access the right side of my safe with out any issues.

Yes the Champion Trophy is made in Mexico and I am pretty sure the Cannon you are looking at is as well.