Utica Fox 16 protruding screw

[Guyk01]

I have a fox Utica made 16 gauge with a screw protruding in front of the safety.
How should I deal with this?

[Fin2Feather]

I'm far from an expert; I just looked at my six Foxes (3 Utica, 3 Philly) and on each that part is flush with a finished end. I believe the "business end" is accessed under the trigger guard. I have no idea why it would be protruding like that; someone with technical knowledge will probably chime in.

[Guyk01]

Thank you… I just picked it up and would like to correct that but I’m not sure how

[Bob Jurewicz]

I would take the trigger guard off to expose the head of the screw. Remove that screw. Shorten it 2 threads by grinding. Clean the threads so it will thread well into the top tang. Put it back together.
Problem solved.
Bob Jurewicz

[Guyk01]

I will do that… thank you very much
Ken

[Silvers]

An alternate fix is to put a thin shim washer(s) over the shank/under the head of the rear tang screw that’s located under the trigger guard. Most anyone with some mechanical ability can make one or more shim washers from thin metal stock. Add more washers until the end of the screw, when tightened, is flush with the contour of the top tang. Just one watchout, that rear tang screw MUST be tight but don’t reef on it. That’s because there’s very little wood bearing surface under the rear tang and it's easily compressed and can start a crack or split ..... one of the design limitations of AH Fox shotguns. frank

[Researcher]

Just what I can see looking at that picture, that doesn't look like a Savage-era checkering pattern. So, I'm thinking it may be aftermarket wood and a fault of the inletting.