Cannon gun safe - is this normal?

[Double-O-Dave]

Good evening:

I have owned and used a Cannon brand gun safe for about 6 years. Recently, I added a small LED lamp to the interior of the safe, and I was very pleased as to how much easier it is to find things in the safe now with the lamp installed. As I was closing the safe door last night, I was very surprised to notice I could see light coming from the upper right hand corner of the safe door. There is no obvious damage to the safe door, but this gap is about the thickness of 4 credit cards and you can actually see inside of the safe through this gap. I just sent Cannon Customer Service an email about this and I hope they respond quickly with their opinions and advice.

What do you guys think after looking at the photos? Is this normal or a defect?

Regards,

Dave

 

[Kanewpadle]

I don't care what they tell you, that would concern me greatly. Most quality gun safes have an expanding fire seal. But that's one heck of a hole to seal!

Check the seal on the inside of the door.

 

[gman51]

That is unacceptable. Your fire protection time can't be very good with that poor fit. It seems your safe does not have an L lip that the door fits against if you can actually see into the safe.
I agree with the above post. It could be the seal has come off. But that still doesn't explain no L lip made on the front door frame for the door to close against. Even if a seal is out of place you shouldn't be able to see inside the safe.

 

[Fishinfool]

Looks like the door may have "settled" on its hinges. My main worry would be an adequate fire seal if needed. Contact the manufacturer.

Larry

 

[Big Cholla]

That ain't right! In addition to the decreased fire protection, that increases the ease of breaching that door for the bad guys. That manufacturer needs to make it right. .....

 

[therewolf]

Relax, that's just so you can check on your guns, without

opening the safe. You don't want to wear out the tumblers, do ya?

 

[rwsmith]

I have a cheapo....

I have a cheapo Stack On safe that looks perfect. They should do better than THAT.

 

[Tom S.]

I mean no disrespect, but using the term Canon and quality in the same sentence shouldn't be allowed. They are made in China, and are not a really good product. While they are better than a simple gun cabinet or nothing at all, you get what you pay for, which is a safe that looks good but is easily accessed by criminals who know certain things about them, and whose quality often is lacking, especially internally in the fire proof lining. If you look on line, you'll find videos confirming what I've said.

Like many things, you get what you pay for in safes. My first one was a Browning, and while it's a good safe, it pales in comparison to my Fort Knox. Of course the price also pales in comparison.

OP: I would not be happy with that. Not only is it a source for humidity to seep into the safe, but it's also a place fire and heat can get through. Let us know how you make out with them. On some safes, the door can be adjusted, but I have no idea if that applies to yours or not. Good luck!

 

[NYlakesider]

Sure is a much bigger gap than my Fort Knox has. It sure looks like quality control was on coffee break when that safe left the plant.

Second thought if that is normal for that company they must be the Taurus of the safe world!

 

[Kanewpadle]

I mean no disrespect, but using the term Canon and quality in the same sentence shouldn't be allowed. They are made in China, and are not a really good product. While they are better than a simple gun cabinet or nothing at all, you get what you pay for, which is a safe that looks good but is easily accessed by criminals who know certain things about them, and whose quality often is lacking, especially internally in the fire proof lining. If you look on line, you'll find videos confirming what I've said.

Like many things, you get what you pay for in safes. My first one was a Browning, and while it's a good safe, it pales in comparison to my Fort Knox. Of course the price also pales in comparison.

OP: I would not be happy with that. Not only is it a source for humidity to seep into the safe, but it's also a place fire and heat can get through. Let us know how you make out with them. On some safes, the door can be adjusted, but I have no idea if that applies to yours or not. Good luck!

Maybe, maybe not. Not all Cannon products are made in China.

 

[Tom S.]

Maybe, maybe not. Not all Cannon products are made in China.

You are right, and I stand (well, sit actually) corrected. Here's a break down:

1. The United States. The series safes include Commander, Cannon, Armory, and Scout. A point to note is that Big Box store models of above-mentioned series are made somewhere else;

2. China. The series safes include Home Guard, Jim Shockey, and Patriot;

3. Mexico. All the safes models available from Big Box stores are from Mexico, including Tractor supply, Costso, and the like.

 

[loutent]

I have a Cannon just like yours - looks exactly the same with the internal LED turned on - light shining through just that upper right corner like your photo. Although there is a space around the door, there is about a 1 inch flange on the inside and a gasket on the door that compresses against it. Like someone said, it's better than a gun cabinet but in retrospect, I wish that I had bought a higher quality (and bigger) safe - mine is about 5 years old (from Costco).

 

[italiansport]

I just put a turned on flashlight in my Cannon and shut the door. There is NO light shining around the door that I can see. I also suggest you contact the manufacturer.
As far as safes go; I had a lengthly conversation with the Asst. Chief of my Police Dept. regarding safes and he said that given some time knowledgeable crooks can get into any home safe based upon his departments experience.
Jim

 

[NYlakesider]

I just put a turned on flashlight in my Cannon and shut the door. There is NO light shining around the door that I can see. I also suggest you contact the manufacturer.
As far as safes go; I had a lengthly conversation with the Asst. Chief of my Police Dept. regarding safes and he said that given some time knowledgeable crooks can get into any home safe based upon his departments experience.
Jim

Given enough time crooks can break in to bank underground safe deposit VAULTS!

All a safe does is buy you time. How much time you want depends on your wallet and your paranoia level!

 

[Tom S.]

Given enough time crooks can break in to bank underground safe deposit VAULTS!

All a safe does is buy you time. How much time you want depends on your wallet and your paranoia level!

Other than in the movies, when was the last time you read about crooks breaking into a bank vault?

 

[TAC]

Canon safes are reviewed very poorly.

 

[NYlakesider]

Other than in the movies, when was the last time you read about crooks breaking into a bank vault?

Not common but it happens. Like I said you buy time, if you got a lot of money you can buy plenty of time!

 

[Kanewpadle]

Canon safes are reviewed very poorly.

Depends on the model. My dad has a nice Cannon that he bought 8 or 9 years ago. He has no problems.

A little research before buying is always wise.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Update - response from Cannon Gun Safes

Good morning:

Thank you to all who have responded. I sent and received a response from Cannon Gun Safes yesterday morning, below:

Good evening: I have a Cannon Model EX-20 gun safe that I have owned for over 6 years. I recently added a small LED lamp to the safe and last night I was very shocked to see light coming from the upper right hand corner of the closed safe. There is no apparent damage, but there is a gap that is about the thickness of 4 credit cards. You can easily see inside of the safe through this gap. Is this normal? I have taken some photos that I can send if you would like to see them - I will need an email address to send them to. Please advise. Thank you.

Hello;
Are safe are not airtight that's normal the light come from the inside of the safe, the unit has a special fire gasket, that when the temperature rises it expands up to 12 times its size, sealing the outer frame of the door, preventing additional heat and smoke from penetrating the safe, but if you want to send me pictures of the safe i will review the pictures p[lease send the pictures to [email protected] case#xxxxxxx.

Respectfully
xxxxxxxx | Customer Experience Department

Not satisfied with her response, I wrote back the following:

Good afternoon Edith:

Thank you for your response. I understand you feel the condition I have described with my safe is “normal”, but I find it very problematic in that it allows not only people to look into the safe, but it also provides an easy access for a prying tool to force the safe door open. This renders the safe, in my opinion, not much better than a school locker for storage of my firearms and valuables. Yes, fire protection is a key reason for my purchase of a gun safe, but the primary reason for this purchase was security for my firearms and valuables, and I simply cannot see how my safe provides security with this gap in the door.

I would appreciate your re-evaluation of my complaint, and escalation of this matter to your supervisor(s) if necessary.

Thank you


As of this morning, no response from Cannon. I am writing their president, Steve Hoffa this morning to get his spin on this. I will update all of you with his response.

Regards,

Dave

 

[FAS1]

I have seen similar door fit pictures on a lot RSC's in that price range. You have to go up in price range to get a really nice fitting door from what I have seen. Now this is a nice fitting door! It's also plate steel, not formed sheet metal.