Overhead rifle rack in an XJ

[sportsguy]

An actual on-topic post here!

Could you build a rack (concealed) across the back of the rear seat? Throw one of the factory rear cargo covers in there if it fits and no one would even see the box on the seat-back.

Not sure if this would work, as I noticed a pervious post which said the gun was too long to fit ACROSS the roof. I've seen Cherokees with storage and sub boxes build across the rear seat-back - seemed like a decnet idea, even if the space is limited.

perhaps a false floor - a number of compaines make slide-out storage lockers that sit on the floor and are roughly six inches deep - perhaps that's an option - keeps the rear clean, leaves room for other things, keeps it outta 'the driver's reach" and allows it to be safely locked up.

...just waiting of rhte damn gun control crap to disappear here in Canada before I get rid of my Colt 1022 rifle...then I may try to talk my wife into another hobby...can we say gun club...LOL (Sig baby, here I come!)

 

[8Mud]

Speaking from experience (I´m a game manager for about 12,000 acres of mixed woods and farms). I keep a loaded rifle either in a inside roof rack (Gander Mountain) or (in the pick-up) in a front of the bench seat, sheath. Leave the Jeep, take the rifle bolt (or trigger group) with you. Reason I carry it loaded (magazine full, chamber empty). Is I deal with Fox raids on farm animals, I know my area and most of the wild inhabitants. Foxes that kill spring lambs and fowl, have to be eliminated quick. Or the next thing you know, the farmers :farmer: have laid poison bates, all over the place, everything dies.
Deer (Moose, Elk) that are, hit but not killed by cars, are suffering and usuable meat, a few days later they are wasted meat.
Sick animals, have to be culled or the whole population is in danger.
It´s not even allowed for a Warden, to shot from a moving vehicle, stop the Jeep, grab your rifle (feet on the ground) rest it on the door jam and shoot.
Takes three days to drive my area of responsibility, I know were much of the game lives, but sitting and waiting for a suspect animal to make an appearance, is really time intensive, have to take your shot when it´s offered, often when driving patrol.
Many city and even rural residents, don´t really understand, that the balance is what it is, not what people would like it to be.
Some well meaning, but seriously ignorant people, recently released hundreds of Minks from a farm. I shoot minks, often, using my door top as a rest, everything from Ducks, Pheasants, Rabbits, Chickens through Song Birds are mostly wiped out in my area. Darned Minks have done more damage than hunters have every done. A few years ago, Foxes were inoculated (baites dropped from helicopters) the following year, there was a Fox explosion, that mostly wiped out the fawn population.
It´s all about keeping the balance and seriously, nature does it with a lot of ups, downs and suffering. I say again the ecology is was it is, not what is was, not what people think it should be and probably never will be, any better than it is. All we can responsibly do, is make minor adjustments.
Serious, educated, responsible hunters, don´t actually make a dent in most game populations. Actually make for smarter game, that avoid people (and farms). As a side note, one area made off limits to hunters, now has undergone an explosion of wild pigs, no fear of humans, have been reported knocking little old ladies off of there bicycles and stealing there groceries. You can substitute the term, wild pigs, for criminals at your discretion.
Don´t really believe, the Canadian system is any better than anybody else´s, the unforescene glitches, probably just haven´t manifested themselves yet.
Germany has had, a fairly consistant game management system, for about 500 years.
If I want to store it out of sight, I put it under the form fitting, plastic cargo area liner (game basket) for my XJ, wraped in a blanket, with my hundred pound bird dog sleeping in the bakset and the alarm turned on..

 

[Centrevillemx]

JC Whitney sells a piece that is out of view yet not concealed. Right where the visors are.

 

[fizassist]

just a couple of questions from a gun ignorant canadian:
-why would you need a hunting rifle in your vehicle and within reach at all times?

As I mentioned earlier, I am very proud that America was founded on the principle of freedom and not of need. For example, nobody needs to go off-roading for fun. Once your government starts granting rights based on needs, you are no longer a citizen, you are a subject.

-is it for protection or hunting?

Insurance. I avoid places where I expect to need a gun. I do, however, carry one for those times when I might be wrong.

-if it is for protection, wouldn't it be difficult to withdraw, aim, and fire a rifle from within a jeep? especially if moving?

If "something" happens, your best bet is to just drive away. Not being there is the best solution by far. Shooting and driving is dumb and hard. If, for whatever reason, you have to exit the vehicle, you can do so holding the rifle without much trouble. Fortunately, I belong to a redneck shooting range in the middle of the desert where I can practice that sort of thing.

 

[GroversXJ]

Boy, I am sure glad that AW ban was in effect for the last ten years. Those pesky bayonet lugs and flash supressors sure were troublesome features! I bet Dan Rather has a great story about how there has been an increase in drive-by bayonetings since the evil George W. Bush let the ban expire, and has the documents to prove it.

News flash for you whiny liberals: The Senate let the bill sunset, not the President. If you really wanted it to be renewed, you should be complaining to Senator Kerry for not doing his job. Stop being sheep.......

I couldn't have said it any better. I have only lived in California for 2.5 years and the one thing that I can't stand about the state is all the whiney liberals and all the stupid laws they have made in this state just because they are ignorant about the facts and don't what to believe them when they hear them. Gun control, public land closures and the list goes on and on. :soapbox:

 

[8Mud]

I couldn't have said it any better. I have only lived in California for 2.5 years and the one thing that I can't stand about the state is all the whiney liberals and all the stupid laws they have made in this state just because they are ignorant about the facts and don't what to believe them when they hear them. Gun control, public land closures and the list goes on and on. :soapbox:

Reason I left California, back in the 60´s it was a real nice place to live. Had a bunch of North Easterners, come to vacation, liked the ambiance, the weather, the low crime rate and freedom. Liked it enough to move to California. As soon as they got settled. they started trying to change the place into the liberal heaven they just ran away from.
Funny moved to Germany, one of the most controlled, bureacratic, policied places on earth, to find a little piece and quiet and found most ways, more freedom, than I had in California.
Arguement about what an automatic is and isn´t. Can be addressed by seperating and automatic loader, with an automatic firer. Probably should just drop automatic from the nomenclature of many weapons (they are referring to auto loader anyway), change it to recoil loader or gas recoil loader.
They make a Smart car here in Germany, not particularly fast, they make a two seat sport model convertable, exactly the same platform. One is acceptable transportation, the other is less acceptable, because it looks fast. Same thing with a carbine and a so called assault rifle, 90% the same weapon, just different packaging.

 

[PapaPump]

I am a Californian, a gun-owner, hunter, conservationist and Democrat. I know that last one will open me up to a lot of flaming on an off-road board, but that is the truth. Most of us on here are probably working folk. I am a laboror at a retail grocery store. My job is not the best ever, but for the time being it is my livelyhood. This is my source for funding my hobbies, including off-roading and shooting. My reasons for being a Democrat involve my status as a laborer. Simply put, Democrats will look out better for working-class citizens typically than Republicans. Without the rights afforded to me by whiny liberals (or in other words, rights taken away from big business), I couldn't fund my hobbies, including the traditionally right-wing type. I don't think a gun is needed in the car at all times, but I don't see why not. I have carried my rifle in my car when I wasn't hunting many times. Some people just like to shoot, and that is quite alright. Us U.S. citizens need to have less belligerent pride and animosity, and then we would stop shooting each other. Automatic weapons are not the cause of this violence, plenty of it is caused by simple cheap crappy handguns. Anyways, this politics stuff always gets me going. Especially when I get lumped with the worthless eco-terrorists and extremist that harrass regular, comfortable Americans. I am on the Republican's side on this one.

BTW, I had a gun mount on my ceiling and it was always in the way because I have to have my seat all the way back. I got it from Cabela's. It was kind of cheapo but it would do the job if it wasn't in the way.

 

[fizassist]

This is already hopelessly off topic, so let's go.

Without the rights afforded to me by whiny liberals (or in other words, rights taken away from big business), I couldn't fund my hobbies, including the traditionally right-wing type.

I am very glad to hear liberals support the RKBA. I can make a similar statement from the opposite side: Without the rights enforced by an armed body of citizens (right-wing gun nuts), I couldn't enjoy my hobbies, including the traditionally left-wing type.

I don't agree with Repubs on everything (they're generally not truly conservative enough ), but I stick with them as long as they support the RKBA. As long as a large number of citizens are armed, we will have a truly free state, and we can enjoy open competition between Dems & Repubs. I'm happier to meet a Dem who is a shooter than a Repub (in name only) who says "who needs a gun?"

Automatic weapons are not the cause of this violence, plenty of it is caused by simple cheap crappy handguns.

I would argue that it is neither that cause violence. Australia, Great Britian, etc still see quite a bit of violent crime. Violence lies in the heart of man, not in metal.

 

[8Mud]

Off topic? At least one sentance usually, at least mentioned or recommended a hidden, open, roof or behind the seat rack. Even mentioned a shorter rifle as a option. Though I do agree, most of the opinions about the original topic were refered to, after a lengthy rant. :link1:

 

[fizassist]

Yes, I received a surprising number of relevant and helpful comments. I just meant I wasn't going to play topic-police on my own thread.

Off topic? At least one sentance usually, at least mentioned or recommended a hidden, open, roof or behind the seat rack. Even mentioned a shorter rifle as a option. Though I do agree, most of the opinions about the original topic were refered to, after a lengthy rant. :link1:

 

[PapaPump]

yeah it went waaaay off topic. i only read all of it at the same time i posted so i guess i just felt the need to comment after all of that, because it was 80% political opinion. on my previous comment about cheap crappy handguns, i misspoke. no i don't think any gun causes violence, i just think if anything should be targeted by these scardy cat dems it should be those saturday night specials, throw away pistols that can be legally had for $200 and found on the black market for less than $100. not that those should be illegal either, but i am sure far more people are killed by the "ring of fire" crap than anything else.

about the gun mount: how about bolting a hard case to you cieling? gun will fall right out when you need it hahaha. you need something like the rifle-it with a locking door or police style mounts on the cieling with a custom enclosure. i've never seen a premade secure, hidden and compact gun storage system you could mount. perhaps there is a market for this? sounds like your going custom buddy.