Yeah I thought that extra little peice was kinda of not neccesary for the wood rest to function., I may end up doing the same thing, It looks like it may be a PITA to angle the back row of long guns into the safe.
The only thing I can think of is for long rifles with scopes, and you have the piece high enough so that the muzzle rests on it. Then you could sort of slip it up and under. It still seems unnecessary. Two chops and it's gone and I can fit a few more rifles in mine.