How to fix a loose Series 70 stock panel?

[Malysh]

I noticed that the right checkered walnut stock panel on my "new" Series 70 shifts from back to front, (but not up and down), even after I made sure the two screws are snugged down. I don't think it would be judicious to screw the stock panel down any more than I have already done. The left panel is fine.

Is there some way to stop the slight shifting of this stock panel? I find it a little bit distracting.

[dfariswheel]

The usual fix for loose pistol grips is to use 5 minute epoxy to "build up" the wood where it fails to fit.
In the 1911 case it's a little more complicated due to the grip screw bushing.

First step is to open up the grip a little more on the back side. Usually a slight bevel of the hole on the back side of the grip will give the epoxy enough room to form a good bond.
A counter sink or carbide ball cutter will put a small bevel on the hole.

Apply a good coat of wax to the frame all around the grip screw bushing and INTO the bushing and on the inside of the frame around the bushing. Apply more wax to the entire grip screw including the threads and the head.
This will act as a release agent and prevent the epoxy from sticking to the frame. Don't wipe it off.
Use a wax like Johnson's Paste Wax or even shoe polish wax will do. NO CAR WAX.

Apply more wax to the back side and front side of the grips leaving the hole and beveled area clean. The wax on the grips will prevent the epoxy from adhering to areas you don't want the glue on. Apply wax everywhere on the inside and outside of the grips where you DON'T want the epoxy to adhere.

Mix up a batch of 5 minute epoxy and apply thin a coat arround the base of the grip screw bushing.
Press the grip on the frame and position the grip where you want it, then screw the screw in until it's just snug.
If any glue oozes up out of the hole and gets on the screw head, DO NOT wipe it off. The wax will prevent adhesion.

Allow the epoxy to start to cure, watching the excess glue that was left over. Watch it closely and don't let it cure so long that it gets hard. When the left over glue is cured to a firm rubbery consistency, remove the screw and grip and use a sharp knife to clean off the excess.
After removing the excess, replace the grip and screw and allow to fully cure. Clean off the wax and any remaining excess glue.
This will tighten the fit permanently.

[Malysh]

Thank you, Dfaris.
This is the basic same advice you gave me for keeping the domed screw bushing tight in a set of late Coltwood stocks I have. It worked great with the Coltwoods. The difference with that fix being the screw bushing is recessed into the stock instead of being pressed into the frame, and that no bevel was needed on the inside of the stock hole.

I had a feeling this was what you would advise
So, I have a little project to do this week.

[elliotf]

I noticed that the right checkered walnut stock panel on my "new" Series 70 shifts from back to front, (but not up and down), even after I made sure the two screws are snugged down. I don't think it would be judicious to screw the stock panel down any more than I have already done. The left panel is fine.

Is there some way to stop the slight shifting of this stock panel? I find it a little bit distracting.

What I have done with my grips, if they were loose, was to go to the nearest hardware store and get some rubber o-rings that fit the grip screws, just large enough to still be smaller than the screw head. Just snug them down and you will be good to go for less than a buck. :-)

[dickttx]

What I have done with my grips, if they were loose, was to go to the nearest hardware store and get some rubber o-rings that fit the grip screws, just large enough to still be smaller than the screw head. Just snug them down and you will be good to go for less than a buck. :-)

+1

#60 at Home Despot.

[Malysh]

Thanks to DfarisWheel, Elliot, and DickT of Texas for your excellent suggestions.
They are appreciated.

[Malysh]

Fine tolerance is an amazing thing.
I took off the factory checkered stocks yesterday to give the bonded ivories another chance. All 4 stock screws were mixed up. I put the walnut back on and voila - the right panel no longer is slightly shifting back and forth and the left panel is fine, as it was to begin with.

So I won't have to epoxy the lower right screw bushing, at least for now.