Loose plate for 97E

[Roscoe2212]

I got  a new mounting plate for my 97E, ready to mount a red dot on the pistol.  I got one from EGW,
hammered it on ( a really tight fit) and went to the range to sight in the dot three days later.  I did
not put the blue locktite on it, first mistake, but it seemed really tight, so not to worry, all is good.
not more than ten rounds at the range, the plate is loose;  not falling off the gun loose, but I can shove it without too much effort. Needless to say, back to the drawing board/vise.
Will the locktite save my bacon?  Neither the slide or the plate was filed or sanded, both orginal.
I really hope I don't have to get into shimming.
All help gratefully accepted.

[skin]

Thread locker of some sort, I like blue, should do the trick.

[Roscoe2212]

Thanks. Blue it is

[Joe L]

If you can move the sight plate by hand, it is going to be too loose for the loctite to secure it.  Try a 0.003-0.005" shim between the plate and the slide, cut to the same dimensions as the bottom of the groove, but maybe a 1/16" smaller on all sides.  You can use a soft drink can and cut it with regular scissors.  You may have to use some emory paper on the edges so that they are smooth.   I bet you don't have to add more than one shim, but you may have to get creative with the material thicknesses you can find without going to the hardware store and buying some brass shim stock, which would be best. 

I've had to shim several of mine, and have moved the dovetail mounted plates around among several guns.  But the first one I shimmed was a 97B, and that one still has the shimmed plate and hasn't moved at all in 6 years.  The set screws will only hold the sight plate if it can't move anyway. 

[Roscoe2212]

Thanks Joe, looks like a plan

[Krugermeier]

Let us know how it came out. I am considering putting a rail on mine, but as of now it's more of a want than a need. Finding a working holster makes me hesitate.