Bighorn 19ECB Gun Safe at Costco
Costco continues to advertise gun safes at incredible discounts for on-line purchase only. As a member, I get a monthly coupon book with actual coupons for items in the store, but also on-line only offers. Last month it was the Cannon Safari deal, this month it is a Bighorn Classic series, model 19ECB. Costco has it on sale for $200 off or $569 after discount.
These products are made by Rhino Metals out of Caldwell, Idaho (close to Boise). They are a US owned company, but do source products from around the world to build their safes. While they make the Rhino series of safes in the US, the Bighorn series are made to their specifications oversees and imported.
Each Bighorn 19ECB has a 3MM thick steel body, which is just close to 11 gauge (most gun safes are thinner at 12 gauge). UL testing shows that a metal thickness of less than 12 gauge (.105″) can be defeated with a cold chisel and hand sledge hammer in less than 5 minutes. Remember, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel. It features external hinges to allow you to open the door 180 degrees as well as remove the door for easier transport (when removing the door, make sure you have a couple guys as it weighs about 150 pounds). The door bolts are 1″ thick which is standard on most gun safes of this size and price. The Bighorn does have a typical fire rating for most safes in this price point. It is 1200 degrees for 30 minutes.
Each Bighorn Classic has two internal relockers and a seamless continuously welded body. The door is a composite (made of several different pieces of steel) with drill-resistant armor. All but the smallest safe in this series are California DOJ compliant and certified as a UL certified residential security container. The model 19ECB weighs 407 pounds and has 19 cubic feet of interior space. It claims a rifle capacity of 24 long guns, but I am always skeptical at that!
The warranty on these safes is not as unconditional as others such as Cannon safes. If the safe is used in a residential application and you are the original owner and it was purchased from a Bighorn dealer and you have proof of purchase and you have a written statement, photographs of safe, and police report, Rhino will repair the safe. Initially they will try to have it repaired and/or opened on-site by an authorized dealer. If it must be returned to the factory for repair or replacement, you must then package and palletize the safe and make it available for curb side pickup. Rhino will pay for the shipping. If you fail to bolt the safe down, it voids the warranty. The locks are only warranties for 1 year, regardless.
In summary, I think this is a decent purchase. I personally think the Cannon Safe deal at Costco is maybe a better purchase. Cannon has a better reputation and while that warranty is only 1 year, it doesn’t come with all these gotchas.