I just picked up a new Sportsman 500 HO last week. WOW! I love this thing. What a step up from the 95 Kodiak I had. I love the ride, power, traction, handling, ease of operation, and most everything else. Except...I am at a loss as to mounting a gun rack. There doesn't seem to be any room on the handle bars and the front rack is now a storage box. Are there any alternatives, or am I going to have to drill the lid of that storage box?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

You can install a gun boot bracket on the side of the rear rack. Is that what you are asking for?

 

you want to mount the 'lock and ride' mount with the Polaris gun scabbard (which is a Kolpin).....

if you want, I'll take some pics tomorrow of mine....I can mount and dismount the unit in 15 seconds....

awesome setup, the only way to go on the new '05's...

dave

 

No, I am talking about a gun rack like the Pack Rack or Fin grip. I don't care for the bulky boots and would like to use it in the off season for carrying a shovel from time to time or even a bow.

Thanks,

Mike

 

ah, ok.....so do this....buy the front rack....then you can mount a fin grip on the front rack.....I don't like mounting gun racks on the rear rack because the dirt swirls back there when you are driving and it covers anything you put on their with dirt.

you also have another option....if you don't mount drilling on the front rack, you can put on Kolpins Gear Grips....they are ratching grips, really awesome with quick releases, no need for straps as they have 3 ratcheting arms....but one problem with these, if you mount them to a rack, you can't tighten them down much or the quick release feature won't work.....they have a quick-release setup where you can remove the whole mount on and off in a few seconds,,,,just the base stays in place....but, if you mount it to the front flip up storage compartment, then you're okay....

here is what I plan on doing....I bought a couple of extra lock and ride quick releases, I'm welding together a mount so that it will go in the rear holes for lock and ride....i will use it for items like you listed, shovel, etc....I already have the gun scabbard and it is awesome....it is out of the way, sturdy and keeps the gun clean and it will not get wet in a pouring rain or snow...

as far as the fin grips, same thing, but the front rack and mount them to it...

dave

 

elkbow,

This is the info I was looking for! I don't like to mount gun racks on the rear either, but mostly because of brush. You can't watch the gun(s) like you can on the front. I may consider a scabbard in the future. But for now, I am hunting as soon as I walk out the back door. If I am riding to the back of my propery to take a stand, I can jump off and grab the gun from the rack if I happen to see Ol' Mossy Horns. I think this would be tough with a scabbard.

I didn't know you could get a front rack extender like the rear since there are no holes for it. I am guessing from what you said that you drill for it. That would work fine.

I checked out the Gear Grips. They look very promising.

I too am going to get extra lock and ride mounts and weld up baskets and carriers for tools, treestands and such.

Thanks for all the help. I have been trying to call my dealer, but they must be closed because of the holiday.

I love this Sportsman. I had to use it to haul in an eight point a little bit ago. I only wish it had been farther than a couple hundred yards from the house.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Thanks again,

Mike

 

here is the link for the polaris accessories,,,,,the link is for the '05 machines, many other thing under 'accessories' will work.....on the second page, you will see the front rack, you only have to drill two holes on the back part and there are already area's inside the storage compartment for the bolts, you will see it if you look inside....simple install, the other two holes to mount the rack are on the outside area's on top, there are already bolts there mounting the 'J' brackets.....you just remove them, then flip them around and use the bolt to mount the rack, putting the bolt in from the bottom...

'05 accessories