Not enough trash clearance and the steel used is low grade, springs aren't music wire. I now a trapper that has lost 15 yotes in the last 2 seasons in Duke 3s full modified 4 coils. Saw the traps with my own eyes, short leg hair in the jaws.. Maybe we have super strain coyotes LOL..

He's lost 0 in MB 550os and KOs.

Beav’s first review said there was a good trash gap. Production ones I had did not have a gap at all. There was also some issue with the D rings not being welded. Maybe someone changed something in the manufacturing process.

I laminated mine so there was no likelihood of jaws flexing with a catch.

Pan sets too high which one would have to use more covering to have the low spot over the pan.Also can create more toe catches. Poor lock up unless over powered.My escapees resemble wolf dogs pics.Going by his pic one would think grey fox and above should be waiting. Poor designed trap and did it have any field testing before being released? Trapping time is limited and i have found it a waste of time to try to get them to work .

Ya In my original post On the trap. I mentioned the debris gap as being sufficient. But that Isn't the case since there Isn't one. I screwed up on that point.

I didn't spend any time fooling with Dereks traps to find their problem.

I was referring to a western style lug off set that's mainly there to have a gap for debirs. If you want a regular debirs gap it takes literally like 30sec with a $20 angle grinder.

Why, when there's traps that don't need all the extra work and cost to mod?

I took my Duke #2s right out of the box. Cleaned up the jaw edges with a file. Got them degreased took them down to my buddy and had them powder coated and went out and caught coyotes In them.
I will be totally honest with you I had One trap that was held open with a acorn sized rock and I missed a coyote because of It. Mostly my fault because I got In hurry remaking the set from a previous catch. But a debris gap may have remedied that.
And I NEVER had a catch circle with out a critter In the trap when I got there.

Sure I had traps sprung with no catch and no catch circle. But that happens no matter what traps we are using.

I just went out and looked at all my #2 Dukes that caught coyotes and couldn't find any jaw deformities. And I did catch more then 20 In the 2 doz I have. I also set a few and laid a file across the top of the pan. The file touched on both jaw posts and touched the pan also.
Yes It would be better If the pan was below the jaws but It's even so I don't see that as being a big problem. Since the same amount of dirt would covering the pan and the jaws. Well I guess that would depend on how you cover your traps.

Then I set and sprung one of those traps 5 times On 3/4" steel pipe. The jaws didn't spread apart and leave any gap when fully closed. I know It's not the same when dealing with ticked off coyote.

When I start having problems with those traps I will be the first one to get up on my soap box and let you know.
But so far I'm happy with the results.
I'm not doubting what some are saying It just hasn't happened to me.

Just because some can ... lol .

It’s carry over from my work/ job. Improvement and faster = money.

Understood, I did the same for years. Got tired of losses and retuning every season. Now 0 lost coyotes and I sleep much better. Efficiency is the name of the game.

Like I said I set them pretty much just like they came out of the box. Can't get any simpler then that.

Those of you that aren’t satisfied with your Duke #2 square jaws, I’m curious if they’re for sale?? I’m in the market to buy a few more. Please PM me. Thanks

It would have been impossible to use mine out of the box. Came out of the box with a very high pan, jaws didn't sit level, had to crimp and file the dog, had greater than 4 lbs of pan tension, and had to clean up the jaws with a file. After spending several hours tuning, dying, and setting traps, it's pretty frustrating to have them not hold as they should. Oh yeah, I also had a d ring failure. Almost forgot about that.

Also just making sure, we are talking about the Duke sq jaw #2 traps. The reg #2's haven't had the same issues.

Yes my problems we're with the sq jawed #2 dukes

If any of you have work sharp knife sharpener,they are great for smothing out those sharp trap jaws.

If I’m not mistaken the #4 square jaw and their dogproof are also now made in China, though they started out made in Korea, which is where all the rest are made at this point. Anyway last I checked it was so.

More then just Duke traps made In China.

Not sure what happened there,trappergbus.I haven't come close to losing a coyote in a 2 coiled,Duke 3,or anything else for that matter.Mine are only about 3 years old and I understand they beefed them up so maybe we are comparing new to old.I'm not pushing them but they have worked for me.I'm a fan of the 550 too.

I can’t understand anyone having pull outs with any traps made this day and age ( coyote traps) . I have never lost a coyote out of any of my traps. Bunch of coyotes in #3 Dukes. I understand toe caught ..might pull out.