I am also a fan of the 650 ! After trying several different types and sizes of traps I knew the 650 was designed with coyotes in mind . I also like not having a loose jaw !

I'm an MJ 600 fan.....have been since mid seventys when I drove to Rogers Ne and bought the first I owned. I use these same traps every year and have been for over 45 years. The best coyote trap that holds yotes!

I tried some #2 Bridgers last year and caught a sheep, yes a sheep, it was a young one around 75lbs had a heck of a time getting him out too lol I think they’ll hold a coyote

A picture is worth a thousand words. I cant type that fast.

The best coyote trap shouldn't have the word modification in the same sentence imo. And that is a humble opinion. Sterling MJ600. Like Lee said. I've got Sterling's that were built when I was 3 years old and still are as strong as ever. Lost count of the Coyotes and wolves they have held over the years. Jake trap when the forecast says heavy snow is coming. The rubber pads on my Jake's have also helped me to get on property that I wouldn't have got to trap with regular jawed traps.

I have used a 1 1/2 coil for coyotes. I did it once in a while till one chewed every single twin loop on my chain almost in half and bent the trap so the jaws wouldn't fit into the the space between the dog and the pan anymore. I graduated from the shoot it as soon as I see it stage to Sterling MJ 600 traps - sounds like a little later than the above post (slow learner). I too have some over them from the late 70's and early 80's still going strong. They don't hurt fox like some of the other big traps do.

Sterling mj 600 ,
Agreed Andy
Modified and best ??? Different imo also.

Can You still buy new sterling 600s and 500s?

I like a 5.5"-6" size and dogless in the Montgomery style. I like wire levers, but it's not a deal breaker.

The best trap for any species is one that needs no modification for that species- a purpose built trap. (I don't consider pan/dog tuneup as a mod) If it needs chain, springs, jaws, baseplates, pan, dog to be changed; it is the wrong trap for the job and at best will be a DYI-cobbled up-compromise, might as well build it yourself. Pay a bit more and get what you need.
Some times what we need is confidence, so if brand x feels better to you than brand y and other things are ~= take brand x.

Yes you can. The thing is they are put together by hand, with attention to detail (part of the reason they are such a good trap). This takes time, and the fella that makes them also works full time trapping so it takes some patience to get them.

No BS extreme offset 4 coil inside/outside lams coated w/ #3 twist link chain and 3 JC Conner rod swivels.
His black coated pre cut steel screen works flawlessly. Original wolffang anchors w/ 12" of 3/32 cable.

No BS 2s and 4s
Jakes
Sterling 650s pan design is flawless compared to the mb650
If you are forced into a 4.5 inch trap the mb450
Longsprings cast 3ns and the new bridgersr.

But you catch them and hold them in just about everything.
Most modifications are pointless with the 24 hour check laws most are forced into.

God Bless,

Dustin

Only trap I would add.into the mix is the coyote cuff. Ko,Jake, sterling,coyotecuff, and mb. Are the best traps made today,period. Pick one for your style of trapping and role with it.

Dogless for me. Any trap with a dog will have a "dead" area inside the jaws.
I haven't seen a need to mod my SVS #4s and don't think anything will get out of them.
Another consideration, for me the MB 650 has a deal breaker in the fact that it has no loose jaw, I like and want a loose jaw for a couple of reasons, it may not make a difference to you.
I haven't used them, but I think I would like the Victor Montgomery #3s or #4s.

On the night latch, I don't like fiddling around with them at the set, they have to be seen to insure they are just right, a proper short latch can be set by feel and a Miles trigger can set trigger tension- either is better than night latching to me. I do still have some night latched that I need to work on. (that "click you hear in the shed when setting the night latch up is indistinguishable from other noise amidst wind,rain and tinnitus in the dark and on the line)

Keep us posted on your results. Like Calvin I have gone to a full line of 650 cast. Adding more now. I have kept my older victors, just because. The casts are very easy on kitty feet.

Osky

Will do, Osky. Here's a fox in the only #2 that I got in the ground last year.

Yukonal, I use a #2 trap for most every set and my experience with the Bridger is just what you posted and deeper. I personally prefer the kb 5.5 but the Bridger #2 is a great trap. I just traded some no bs Jrs for some mb 650's so I'm looking to give them a honest try this season and see how it goes.

I banged my head against the wall for 4 or 5 years on the Bridger #2s. Modded, non modded, 2 coiled, 4 coiled...you name it. I caught critters and "Initially" was very happy but always had SOME loss. Lost a coyote I HAD to kill (pet killer) and finally threw in the towel.

But funny, I thought these traps were great when I started using them. "Built like a tank" as I always here. Kinda of like the guy who buys a nice new truck. Hard to convince him is a hunk of scrap...even after a couple years of issues.

I know guys who love the Bridger #2. I did UNTIL I compared it to a real coyote trap. Wish I would have done it years earlier. Sometimes saving a buck or two on cheaper traps will cost you much more in the long run. Now, I totally understand why real coyote and cat guys aren't afraid to run the high end/spendy traps.

If someone put a gun to my head and made me run the Bridger #2 now, first thing I'd do is decrease the offsets to half. (They are too wide for a #2 sized trap.) and keep the standard jaw if pets weren't a concern. Or just run straight jaw. Stock 2 coil springs are good for one season at best...then they need the helper 4 coil springs. Or better yet, get the #3s.

But as always... what works for one, doesn't always work for the next guy...to each his own.