Not so technical question - butt pad screw plugs

[Foxnut]

All,
I have a Fox gun w/a Silvers type pad on it. One of the screw hole plugs is loose and wants to slip out while in use. Were these plugs simply friction fitted or were they glued/attached by some other means. What the best way to assure fitment without making a mess of the pad and making it accessible for future removal. Thanks Brett

[44whiskey]

Brett, mine on non Fox British shotgun appear glued,

[Carver]

I used a dab of rubber cement on one of the plugs on a Winchester M12 Heavy Duck that would work its way out. No more frantically searching the bottom of a duck boat for the missing plug. Any overage is easy to rub off after it dries and can be removed without damage for end of season cleaning.

[Silvers]

The screw plugs on repro Silver's type pads typically don't fit as tightly as in original S W Silver & Co pads, and besides yours seem to be a different color shade and may have been changed out with plugs from a different repro pad. There’s a small variation in diameters between makers. I've seen where people have put a wrap or two of Scotch tape around the circumference of ill fitting plugs to increase their diameter for a tighter fit, and actually painter's tape might be better owing to a better friction coefficient. Personally I wouldn't use any sort of glue that might cause me to gouge into the plug-pad interface when trying to remove if/when the pad shifts due to shooting and I need to tighten the screws or otherwise secure it from shifting positions. I say that because tyro pad fitters often use screws with shanks that are significantly undersized for the holes in the pad base. frank

[Stan Hillis]

Have you considered putting a leather facing on the pad? It would solve two problems at once, that of the plugs backing out and also of them being a different color than the pad itself. Leather faced Silvers pads were not uncommon in the era. I have done one on a hunting SWE, and love it.

[vaturkey]

Have you considered putting a leather facing on the pad? It would solve two problems at once, that of the plugs backing out and also of them being a different color than the pad itself. Leather faced Silvers pads were not uncommon in the era. I have done one on a hunting SWE, and love it.

Seen a lot of those over the years. Mostly on Parkers and Foxes,

[Silvers]

I like leather facings for Foxes and Stan's suggestion is excellent as long as the pad doesn't shift to and fro when shooting, which it shouldn't do if properly mounted. Even a few thou proud on one side and undercut on the opposite looks bad and will keep you having to reposition and tighten the screws. Just for show, I'm reminded of the Jostam 7-slot pad and its leather facing that was on my CE Fox "Matilda" when I got her 17 years ago. She was once owned by Harry Overbaugh the Fox factory Tournament shooter and principal who ran the company's display at the 1915 Worlds Fair/Panama Pacific Exposition in SF in 1915. frank

.

[Foxnut]

Have you considered putting a leather facing on the pad? It would solve two problems at once, that of the plugs backing out and also of them being a different color than the pad itself. Leather faced Silvers pads were not uncommon in the era. I have done one on a hunting SWE, and love it.

Stan,
I have considered a leather facing. I do like the look and functionality of that set up. My straight stocked CE has one and it works well and looks good. Certainly an option to use. Thanx

[Foxnut]

The screw plugs on repro Silver's type pads typically don't fit as tightly as in original S W Silver & Co pads, and besides yours seem to be a different color shade and may have been changed out with plugs from a different repro pad. There’s a small variation in diameters between makers. I've seen where people have put a wrap or two of Scotch tape around the circumference of ill fitting plugs to increase their diameter for a tighter fit, and actually painter's tape might be better owing to a better friction coefficient. Personally I wouldn't use any sort of glue that might cause me to gouge into the plug-pad interface when trying to remove if/when the pad shifts due to shooting and I need to tighten the screws or otherwise secure it from shifting positions. I say that because tyro pad fitters often use screws with shanks that are significantly undersized for the holes in the pad base. frank

Frank,
Thanks for feedback. You are correct the plugs are a lighter color and have probably been replaced. To your point on using a glue that was my concern. How would I remove if ever needed to. I do like the idea of a tape to tighten the plug fitting. The pad is securely and properly attached to the butt.

[Foxnut]

I used a dab of rubber cement on one of the plugs on a Winchester M12 Heavy Duck that would work its way out. No more frantically searching the bottom of a duck boat for the missing plug. Any overage is easy to rub off after it dries and can be removed without damage for end of season cleaning.

Carver,
I can empathize with the frantically searching for the plug. I have an L Grade SBT trap gun that is missing a plug. Somewhere at Hausmann’s there is a plug laying near the BoWhoop tent area that I never found!

[Silvers]

Carver,
I can empathize with the frantically searching for the plug. I have an L Grade SBT trap gun that is missing a plug. Somewhere at Hausmann’s there is a plug laying near the BoWhoop tent area that I never found!

Brett, if you post a pic of the back end of the L Grade pad along with diameter of the hole, I'll look in my box of pad plugs and if I have one or better yet two matching plugs I'll be happy to give it/them to you at Hausmann's. frank

[Foxnut]

Carver,
I can empathize with the frantically searching for the plug. I have an L Grade SBT trap gun that is missing a plug. Somewhere at Hausmann’s there is a plug laying near the BoWhoop tent area that I never found!

Brett, if you post a pic of the back end of the L Grade pad along with diameter of the hole, I'll look in my box of pad plugs and if I have one or better yet two matching plugs I'll be happy to give it/them to you at Hausmann's. frank

Frank,
When I get back home I’ll measure the diameter of the whole. Thanx! Very nice of you to offer

[Foxnut]

Here is pic of SBT gun w/Silvers (or Silvers type) pad. Diameter of hole is 19/32’s (15 mm).

[Stan Hillis]

I've mentioned this before, but once again. My Fox SWE 20 bird gun is faced with leather from my Grandad's old duck hunting coat. He was fond of drifting the Savannah River on extremely cold days, when all the ponds were iced over and all the ducks were on running water. He'd hire a local guy to paddle him and keep the boat straight. The paddler didn't have a gun, but got paid and a share of the "spoils".

Every time I hunt with that little Sterly it reminds me of the good times hunting and fishing with my Grandad. Nostalgia can be a strong thing.

[Silvers]

Brett I'm at an all day Charity shoot/event today and I'll check what I have over the weekend. frank