New savage axis stock.. cant get butt pad on without spacer??

So went to scheels today to fit my soon to be 8 year old with a rifle. Deciding against a youth/compact size as hes growing like a weed. We asked the gun guys if they could remove the spacer to check length of pull for him. They take off the butt pad, remove the spacer.. but the butt pad would NOT go on without the spacer! It slid right into the top but the bottom was hitting the hole for the screw to go into (the one inside the stock). For the life of me and 2 other guys working there we couldn't figure it out. I cannot find a video or instructions or anything. Am I stupid and missing something here? We figured take the soacer out, slide the butt pad into.the stock and use the smaller screws. No dice. They're gonna call their savage rep and get back to me before I purchase... any info? I feel like an idiot even asking

I had to modify mine with a Dremel and Exacto knife until I got it to fit. It's a cut and try exercise until fits. To clarify, modify the inside of the butt stock.