Bear Supreme Latches

[stagetek]

I recently bought a Supreme handle. I'm having trouble getting limbs to fit. The latches are too small. The limbs fit in (tightly) But the latches won't close. Is it because the Supreme uses powder coating on them ? My green stripe handle latches are not coated, and all my limbs fit fine. Is the only solution, replacing my Supreme latches with the regular (non-coated) ones available from 3-Rivers ?

[OldSkoolArcher]

I would guess, it is the rough coating on the sockets causing the problem. Actually a pretty common problem unfortunately. I have seen limbs sanded down and the "slot" on the bottom of the limb opened up or the finish removed on the inside of the latch socket. I do not believe buying the replacement latches are going to solve your problem. It is the socket causing the tight fit. The limb is actually not sliding down far enough into the socket and not seating correctly thus not allowing the latch to close.

At least this is what I have seen in the past. Yours could be a different problem though.

Good Luck!!

[stagetek]

OldSkool, That seems to be the exact problem. The limbs don't feel like they're seated all the way down. Any idea how one removes powdercoating ?

[OldSkoolArcher]

I would try to scrape it off with a razorblade or small thin straight-blade screwdriver. I think once you get a small patch removed you should be able to continue to flake it off a little at a time. That being said, I have never done it myself.

I would try to see where it is hanging up the most and start there. I would guess that it is rubbing the most on the vertical rib in the center.

[jcar315]

Very interesting.....I will have to take a look at my two Supreme handles. I haven't had an issue with mine with any limb combo I have tried.

I wonder if this is a "handle specific" issue?? I have other handles that certain limbs will work in but others won't.

[OldSkoolArcher]

I have seen this with a few different handles with the painted/textured latches and sockets.

[stagetek]

The vertical rib is where it put marks on the limbs. I will try and scrape the texture off. Thanks for the advise. I'll keep you informed on the progress.

[Abear]

take off leather tabs

[stagetek]

What I've done. I took a Dremel tool,slow speed, light abraisive. Took off the texture, top and sides of the center rib. I also smoothed out the pockets as well. My limbs now fit ! We're talking thousands of an inch. I will mask the area and spray with a thin layer of flat black paint. Thank you for the input.

[stagetek]

Abear, it had nothing to do with the leather tabs. The limbs "never" even seated.