I like my 3n's! Especially the ones with yotes attached to them !
This year I have a couple of really nice 4n's with pit Pans that are going to look good with cats in them.
The race is on Cliff. Lol
Again thanks for the 4n's Cliff !

I have a couple dozen 3ns that I bought on here that came out of Wyoming that were a little weaker than I liked when they arrived. I tinkered with them by adding riveted 1.5 longspring springs on each side, these are users not collectors, and a good PIT pan. I then set them to three pound pressure using Hal’s tool. They suit me fine and bed great. They’ll be good for someone years after I’m gone.

Those are actually Victor #4 Cast Jaws (closed-jaw) with a modified PIT system attached. They have the square rivet base. I have six that I did up for myself, so odds are in MY favor Pistol! I really do like the trap though. SS dog, 3" round pan, just seems to scream "step here" as a cat trap. Would like to find a few true 4N's and put PITS on them. The base and cross-piece is already heavy on the 4N, and I like the off-set.

I have a few 3N's with helper springs. Those helpers bring a trap back to life. Drilling and using a rivet makes for a nice clean look too. I just have mine wired in.

I have some #3 Victors and Newhouse also some government traps I was told some where.I use them once i a great while. Just like the Jumps I have also. I am not a collector, I got them to use and when I run low on the coils then I will take them out and make sure where I set them that they will not be lifted.That is by some 2 leg animals.

I bought a dozen last month for $50 and hope to catch a few cats with them this season

I put PIT pans on three 3N's yesterday. They just transform that trap in my opinion. I still like the nostalgia of the original, but the PITs function better. I also added a crunch-proof near the spring swivel, and shortened the chain. I don't always shorten the chain, but I do add swivels. I've had coons tie that long chain in knots.

Make them good as new. A #3 DLS is my go to coyote trap. New springs from Sterling Fur Company and dogless conversions. Need nothing more for coyotes.

Is the dogless conversion something you do yourself, or is a kit of some kind from Sterling? If you can post a pic of one, I'd like to see it. Seen some pretty interesting and very nice conversions that a few on this site have done.

Dogless conversions are not too difficult, but they are time consuming, and you need access to the right equipment. (Welder/Mill)

Very nice rednecktrapper! I've seen some of your work on this site before. Plus I've checked out your site. You do some nice work. Thanks for sharing!

I'm a big fan of the 3N, 4N, and old cast jaw #4 Victors. I just think they do what I want. I also use 550's, and it's like a coil-spring 3N, in my opinion, jaw-wise.

I tried the #3 Victors and B&L's closed jaw, but I didn't like how the jaws were, even filed smooth. I've got some that I've had laminated, gonna try both inner and outer to see which I might prefer. I like the dog-less concept, wondering where the pan pivots on those you pictured rednecktrapper? I've got PIT pans on most of the ones I've got laminated.

This might interest you; https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6145202/Re:_Dog_vs_Dogless#Post6145202

Yesterday I was going through a bunch of #48 Newhouses that I use for beaver and otter trapping and found that I had a #4 B&L long spring that I remember buying in 1976. I still use that trap, springs are as strong as ever.

Converted about 2 dozen 3Ns and another dozen #3 Victors to PITS pans for yotes and cats the ground here is often so hard that the MJs are the 1st choice but on badger holes and mounds where they have loosened the dirt the long springs work fine and that frees up the MJs for the tougher ground sets.

Ideally you want the pan post on the outside of the jaw.

I have a dozen of mixed 3 and 4 Long spring B&L and Victor . The pans need some work , but still strong springs.

Anyone use the #1 B&L stoploss type trap? I have a few but I don't know what the pin on the chain is for. I set the traps to test them, and they set fine with the wire bail held in place with the jaws. I'm picture literate, so if you have a pic, that'd be great.

Thanks tjm! Appreciate the link. I've looked at nightstalker's site, he does some very nice work.

used for??

Joe I haven't used most of those you listed. I like the double jaw Sleepy Creek #11's I have, which are a new trap. The same double jaw style is on several of the Diamond Brand #1 and #1.5's in long spring and coil. That's ultimately why I like the older Diamond traps. I think with a trap that small, with a jaw face as thin as they are, the double jaw just helps a lot to prevent twist-offs and chewing. So, I think it'd look for a double jaw in whichever you choose. Just my two cents.

i know it's not on your list but i'd like used 1 blake and lambs for that.so many small footholds around here i've never sampled any new ones.