Can an IEC socket be too short?

You could make the width of the connector tighter by wrapping it with duct tape if that will make it snug,

Duct tape would work but it would be easier to use teflon plumbers tape, the kind used to wrap around the threaded pipe. Easy to precisely adjust the thickness of the wrap and no sticky mess to clean off if you want to remove it.

Or, better yet, get a better power cord. Power cords make a big difference sonically and high quality power cords have very tight fittings. The most recent addition of tight fitting is the AudioQuest storm series… they are so tight that I must hold my 45 - 100 lb components from the front to stop them from moving when plugging in. It would not surprise me if this is why the sound so good. The connector is snug… the conductors are incredibly tight. 

Thanks for posting another valid reason not to use custom aftermarket powercords for phools ta loin!!

I think the idea of duct tape is not fixing the root issue. I'm more worried about the conductors not making a large enough grip.  The plug moving around in the socket is secondary. 

@ghdprentice 

Or, better yet, get a better power cord. Power cords make a big difference sonically and high quality power cords have very tight fittings.

Would rather make my own than ever buy one pre-made.  DIY cables is part of how I enjoy my hobby so if I give that up, I might as well stop listening to music. :)

Erik, you have to check the length of the pins and compare them with aftermarket ones like Furutech or similar. Speaking of Furutech all of their iec plugs give a tight fit in my experience. Other iec plugs that have a good fit are Iego.