I am going to laminate some #2 and #3 Bridger and Duke traps. I feel like 4 coiling is overkill, but may be necessary. I will use 1/8 rod stock for the laminations. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

All my #2 and #3 Bridgers are 4 coiled. Guess it depends on your soil conditions, how much cover you use, type of cover, temp., etc.

Actually, I don't believe I have a K9 trap that isn't 4 coiled. I use a lot of cover, and trap in snow/freezing conditions too.

I 4 coil after two years of usage as I will lam jaws at that time also.

I don't own a 4 coiled trap. So If It were me I would just re spring with the music wire and I'm betting you will be good to go.

All my land traps get 4 coiled new or old. The booster spring ad lift to the jaws at the bottom end to help brake thru PARTIALLY crusted/frozen dirt... Doesn't add much to holding power but I use the small booster or JC Conner lightning springs.The advantage is huge. And ALL my traps have music wire springs, for the obvious reason. I trap all season in the worst conditions! Zero sprung empty traps.. Zero Losses period.

Either spring will work.If I was you I would use 3/16 or 1/4 rod for laminating.

I would seriously reconsider using 1/8” lamination, that’s very insignificant for lamination. Years ago I laminated a bunch of traps with 3/16” round n wished I’d of just gone straight to 1/4x1/4” square stock. 1/4x1/4” square is all I have used for the last 20++ Years. Yes I 4 coil.

Some music wire springs are stronger than 4 coiling. And they can twist things on a less than stout trap. I'd much rather 4 coil, personally. The Bridger springs soften rather fast, so I'd go with the helper springs on the other side after the first year.

Also the helper 4 coil springs are cheaper and a whole lot easier to install than primary springs.

It seems like my factory 4 coiled Bridgers have about the same power as my 2 coiled MBs. That's not scientific as much as feel...but it's real close. But I personally like a Bridger with 4.

Whatever you do just don't four coil without laminating. I'm sure you have a handle on it.

Not to hijack a thread but a quick question, what does laminating do for a person?

Lamination helps spread the pressure out more on the animals foot. Some people and I am one of them like fast powerful traps. That's why lamination is needed. If the coyote didn't fight the trap lamination would not be needed but since we all know they fight it like crazy we need it to keep them from hurting themselves.
If you have more questions pm me and I will try to explain in a little more detail.

Laminated jaws are necessary for any 4 coiled trap that has less than 3/8th jaw thickness, for the reasons RP stated. And they also need sharp jaw edges rounded with a file to prevent excessive paw damage. With the right balance of power and jaw thickness the paw can't move. If the paw can't move the paw won't get cut. 3/16 round or square lams both serve the purpose. And the end of the season if you trap in the North a well balanced 4 coiled trap is well worth the extra dollars for booster springs and lams if needed... Even if you only trap early season.

Initially, traps have to have adequate spring strength for lams to be added. Or else you will lose critters. Lams make your jaws more "friendly" or the appearance off. People like to tinker and like the looks of them but in reality its just for the case of non targets or extended trap checks.

If your running a 24 hr check and non targets are NOT an issue, I'd run all non laminated traps, personally. That said, I'm not a huge 4 coil guy either. Most traps are way oversprung. But you need more power if you're running laminated jaws for sure.

All the coyotes we caught for the study were caught In non laminated 2 coiled traps. These coyotes were looked at very closely by the techs and there was no apparent damage.
WE didn't have one pullout. Sure there were a few sprung traps but no catch circle with a empty trap.

I look at Incidentals (cats and dogs) as not being a issue with 2 coiled non laminated jaws. Domestics don't fight a trap like a wild animal does. Take off the sharp edges and I feel That's good enough.

It's my understanding that If you laminate then you need to 4 coil because of the added weight and more jaw surface that has to push up through your bedding material.
In my opinion I feel It's more about the bedding material your working with then the trap mechanics.
In the fall I carry stone dry dirt to every set. And dress with a thin layer of local dirt to blend that set. In late fall or early winter(before snow) I use waxed dirt since we do have some wet weather and some early frosts. In both situations I see no problems with a 2 coiled laminated or un laminated trap coming up through that dry dirt or waxed dirt.
When It gets nasty I put away my foot holds and go to hanging cable.

I can see when using laminated traps In harsh conditions where you may need a 4 coiled trap. But I also think It's more about what your putting over that trap. Waxed dirt In harsh conditions Is a god send. It's super loose and I don't see where It's going to slow down the closing Of a 2 coiled trap. Sure you have to baby sit that wax dirt covering but It Is the way to go.

I'm betting maybe 5% of the trappers on this forum use waxed dirt at their sets.

The first thing I did when I got my new #2 Dukes was to remove the second set of springs. It was just a pure struggle to set them by hand. And the trap with just one set of springs was plenty strong In my opinion.

But If 4 coiling and and laminating gives you more confidence then that's the way to go.

All these guys make good points.

Based on your location under your name, you and I trap similar conditions.
In my experience Duke 1.75 and 2s do not need extra spring for light weight lams.
And the others do.
My Bridger experiences are from the older models. I have no idea if/when the design has changed or not.

Ya know almost all the true coyoteros I've spoke with that trap all season in the north run 4 coiled traps.. Think about that for a moment.

I thought about it, I ASSumed he asked about round jaw duke 2s and forgot about the newer squares that I have not used. So, sorry and I'll shut up now lol.

Was there a specific reason why you think 4 coiling is necessary?

All my coil spring traps are 4 coiled except my 1 1/2s and my mb 550s. All springs are not created equal. Duke springs out last Bridgers and mb 550s Outlast both.jmo