Are 110 size body gripping traps still "in favor" for trapping mink and muskrats, or have the 150 and 160 sized traps essentially replaced them in most trappers' arsenals? The 150 and 160 sized traps did not exist the last time I set traps for fur.

Good strong 110s will be around forever most keep multiple sizes for special situations.

Why not purchase 120's as they are a 110 with two springs and are therefore suitable for other species as well as mink and rats.

IMO 110s are fine since I am a 90% water trapper. I also use 150s in rat runs more for the fit in runs than power.

I'm actually the other way around, I like the smaller traps on dry or mostly dry sets and the larger bodygrippers in the underwater runs. Even small mink spring a 160 underwater.
The 110 is a great mink trap in tight trails, not so much in deep rat runs.

I can see your point. I like 160s in water too unless I don't draw an otter tag. Then I am careful with the bigger traps.

I tend to only use 110s over small bank den holes or narrow channels. Pocket sets for mink i use exclusively 160s because of racoons. I have had coons pull 120s out of the way or set the trap off with their paws because they didn't want to put their head through such a small hole. I also put the 160s in bigger channels.

But back to the 110s , I'll probably not buy anymore but will not stop using the ones I have.

I've replaced all my #110s with #150s. They fill a 'rat run much better and most importantly, for what I do, they lock onto a KB stabilizer without the tilt a #110 gives you on the KB for the bottom edge set.

I have 3 dozen 150s for rat runs but this year I may get a couple dozen more. Once the snow flies my 110s are almost all bottom edge sets in open streams. Here we are 20 years later and Ken Smythe's book has more than paid for itself.

single spring 160s for water and Magnum jawed #110s for dryland mink. Dryland mink traps need to close completely.

150 mags ,110 mags, 160 mags, 220 mags for dry mink, Whichever size fits the trail. 159s for BE and TE, if there are beaver and otter present then 220 mags for BE TE..

I would still recommend the 120 trap for greater versatility and killing power, especially when used on land.

bctomcat is correct, as a 120 style body grip is the best medicine for a mink trapper in a non drowning situation. I have lost count of the mink I have caught in a single spring BG only to find them alive. Perhaps the new magnum style will work for you but my money is on the double spring BG.

110 size have served me well. In fact 55s work well for me at BE sets. Im not in swamp area and don't set many runs. I do have a butt-load of 160s that I use when bigger is needed.

With the Bridger Mags, 2 springs arent needed. Every dry caught mink is dead with little strugle, I was suprised too.

I must be getting old, Calvin. Those single spring #160s (#159s I think they call 'em) wear me out after squeezin' just a few whereas the #150 is much more forgiving.

A weaker #210 (single spring #220) would also be a nice BE trap, though I don't see them for sale used as often as I used to.

I leave the safety on one 220 spring and jam it in the bottom for support with the trigger horizontal.

I have caught mink in 110's and 220's. I would say that the 220 would probably miss more though. I know the mink I have caught in 110's were stone dead right away but came up to a few in 220's that were not.

I keep a little bit of everything in my boat, you never know what you may need for your situation.

I run a lot of 110s for mink, no issues here
Jim

I don’t have any 159 size but I have caught mink in dry 220s. As far as lethality of 110s give them plenty of wire to get out in the water. Many sets are just in the edge above the waterline or up a bit on the bank. They don’t navigate well with a 110 out in the water. I actually find the 110 and 55 sizes fine for any mink trapping I want to do. I guess if you have a couple hundred 110s you use what you got,

i'm probably 65 percent 110,25 percent 150,10 percent 160.way different area here than Aix.a bigger thing i've found lately is spring strength.2 yrs ago i sold every conibear i owned and bought all new after playing with a couple new ones and realized how weak and SLOW my old ones were.all the parts being there no longer made it a viable mink trap in my mind after that.amazed how sore my hands got last winter from setting new traps all day.

Im the opposite, I prefer a bit weaker trap and buy used when I can. Ive seen some new ones that were so strong the trigger wires would start to bend a bit before going off. I was afraid that would cost me some mink. Ive had some live ones in 160s on the bank but I think it was due more to where the strike was than the strength.

for mink I was taught 120's on dry sets and 110's if they can/should flop into water.
I like 160's or 210's for rats