550 Overhead Gun Rack

[Dane]

Here are photos of the Big Sky two gun rack I have installed in my XUV 550. It fits well with the Gator's domed roof design. The rack frame is on the centerline with the ROPS frame so it's high and up out of the way and still has plenty of room above the rack so the guns don't rub on the roof.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/pilotdane2/2012/Gator/Gun%20Rack/GunRack6.jpg

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/pilotdane2/2012/Gator/Gun%20Rack/GunRack5.jpg

[Dane]

Here is it with some guns for scale and to show what will fit. I'll ignore the shotgun since it's so short. The long gun in these two photos is a Remington 700 with a 24" barrel and a 56mm Trijicon scope. You can see that there is still several extra inches of available space. Where you get in trouble is with a big magnum that has a long action and a long barrel like on a Weatherby Mark V .460 with a 28" barrel.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/pilotdane2/2012/Gator/Gun%20Rack/GunRack1.jpg

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/pilotdane2/2012/Gator/Gun%20Rack/GunRack2.jpg

In these two photos is a Ruger No. 1 with a 22" barrel and a 50mm Redfield scope. Even 26" barreled Ruger No. 1 is about two inches shorter than the Remington so it easily fits even with it's long barrel.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/pilotdane2/2012/Gator/Gun%20Rack/GunRack3.jpg

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad67/pilotdane2/2012/Gator/Gun%20Rack/GunRack4.jpg

[DIXIEDOG]

Very nice :cool:

[2011Raptor]

Dane, you rock!!! Thank you!!!
Amazon here I come!:Thmup:

[2011Raptor]

Dane, do you have a model number for the rack?
Thank you..

[Dane]

It's the Big Sky model SBR-2G-UTV. Unfortunately many places online only list part of the model number and often show the wrong picture. You need to make sure you get the two gun model with the round tubing mounts on each end.

[MBDiagMan]

Looks great Dane! This is a good reason for buying the plastic canopy.

Are the guns reasonably quick and easy to get at?

Doc

[Dane]

I'm bald living in the south so getting the top was never a question. It was a requirement and a big reason other Gator models like the CX never appealed to me much.

Yes, gun access is quick. There is one velcro strap in the center to release and then the gun is free to slide out.

[sidebite]

Dane,

Are you still liking this gun rack? Time for me to get mine for the xuv 550. I was thinking this overhead one like you have, or the stand up one that sits between the driver and passenger. Is this rack easy to load and does it hold them in tight?

The Kolpin boot system seems like a hassel taking them in and out all of the time. I want them to be quick and handy, and I will not be traveling that far from home with them.

Any comments or suggestions you can offer. Anything you would do differently?

Thanks for the help.
sidebite

[purplewg]

Very nice. I just put the Sky rack in my F250. Saves a lot of room.

[Dane]

I have a sawed 12 ga that rides in the rack all the time and it stays put no matter what I've done. It holds every gun & scope that I have tried. The only problem I have is that I do a lot of night hunting with lights and vision systems attached to the guns and they don't fit into the rack so well. Scope mounted lights can be easily swiveled to the side when in the rack but bigger stuff like a FLIR needs to be removed.

[sidebite]

Dane,

Thanks for your continued help and comments. I feel like you are my very own product tester. Keep me posted on the cool stuff for my 550.

Thanks
sidebite

[Deputy347k9]

Dane: A very nice clean job on the install. Really looks like the weapons are secure and safe during trael. It's amazing what they are coming out with. I am located coastal near MCAS Cherry Point, I take it your more inland?

Larry in NC

[MBDiagMan]

I wonder how well this rack would work out with my CANVAS top?

[Dane]

I think it would be fine with a canvas top since it mounts of the side ROPS bars and does not touch my roof.

---

I'm in the central part of the state about 20 miles north of Durham.

[MBDiagMan]

Dane,

Is that a Ruger Number One? My BIL had one made in the 200th year in 25-06 with a really nice Leopould. He and my SIL split up and somehow she ended up with his guns. She offered to give them to me, and I just didn't feel right taking them. She found someone that gave her a decent price for them. He had several more and they were all nice guns. No cheap stuff in the collection.

Anyway the Ruger Number One is one of the highest class guns that Ruger makes IMHO.

[Dane]

Yes, that is a No. 1. I really like them because you can have a long barrel in a really short package. They are great for in the bush or maneuvering in a small blind.

[MBDiagMan]

I didn't get out to mount the rack in the Gator last night. I have it loosely assembled and after studying your pictures some more, I will change the order of two of the brackets before lifting it in place and test fitting.

One other concern occurred to me though. I use an infinitely adjustable sling on my scoped rifle. Not for carrying, but for shooting. I wrap it around my elbow and hold it tight against the forearm with my left hand to steady myself for shooting. Something I learned in the Army and developed as sort of a habit or a crutch, or maybe even a security blanket.

It will be interesting to see whether or not I can tuck the sling above the rifle so it doesn't hang down in my face. OR, maybe the whole thing will be high enough that it won't hang in my face. Even so, part of the appeal of this rack is that if I am near the road, no one driving by can tell that there are guns in the vehicle. The sling hanging down might give that away.

My sling is a heavy leather one, so I don't know if it will stay put like the cloth one on the bolt in your picture.

[Dane]

I either flop the strap over the rifle & rack or hold it in place with the velcro strap that secures the gun.