loose IEC power cord connection?

You may need some cable holders or elevators to keep the heavy or/and stiff power cord in place. I have two power cords like that and use improvised elevators. Unless things are really loose because either IEC is too big or power cord's plug too small by design, it should work.

I have improvised pc support using toilet tissue tubes. Cut a u shaped slot at one end, slip under the plug or IEC. Adjust
slot height to fit.

Audio Research resisted using IEC sockets for years for this very reason. There is no better connection than a hard wired power cord.

It's not so much a question of the IEC connector fitting into the component. It's whether the connector grips firmly onto the component's prongs. Many connectors fall right back out and if that happens, no wrapping, etc. of ends is going to help make a firm electrical connection. This is the main reason I use Furutech IEC connectors when possible. They really grip.