Stephen, thanks for responding. It could be a restock, it is a C Boswell pigeon gun from the 30's and stock is in remarkably good shape. I have a proper turnscrew, but not a brace. It is tight with the slot at 3 o'clock
The slot is at 3 o'clock,,but is that the end pf the screw slot that SHOULD be at 12? (overtightened),,or is it the end of the screw slot that should be at the 6 position (not tight enough).
Maybe you have already figured it out, but many time the screw head out of time will display edges around the circumference that are lower or higher than the tang counterbore hole itself.
Those high and low edges can tell you if the screw needs further tightening to time it,,or needs to be backed off too time.
If it's been restocked, that might be what's causing the issue.
Not being able to pull the lower tang into the same position it was on the orig stock,,or it may be that it is pulling the lower tang up just a bit more and over tightening as far as the timeing goes.
Check the draw surface on the stock,,where the slanted front of the trigger boss pushes on the stock.
If a restock, that face of wood may need a very slight shaving down to allow the top tang screw to pull the trigger plate upwards a bit when turned tight and will let you time the screw head if it needs more tightening.
Glue a thin wood slat onto the surface and re-fit if the screw is over tightened.
I've seen plenty of shims placed under screw heads to make them time.
Everything from a loop of very thin wire, to a paper or thin card 'washer', to a washer made from metal shim stock as already mentioned.
The last two, you punch a hole in the center with a common paper punch for the screw shank.
I've seen the bottom outside edge of the screw head peened downward a bit to make the head engage the bottom of the counterbore earlier to tighten things up and time it.
Also soft solder added to the underside of the head to make it bottom out sooner.
There's a method to tighten the draw using nothing but a hammer. I use it quite often on smaller screws. I'll keep the secret,,secret! (it's probably widely known now though.)
