Hey guys-I bought some new Bridger 330 replacement springs to try and restore my older 330's strength to their original glory days.Question is they come with a twist in the eye to help get them onto the jaws etc..What do you guys do to bend the spring eyes back so they perform the way they should.Guess what I am asking is-I have not tried it yet-but is there any tricks or tips etc.. to get them looking and performing like a new trap would? Other than just using a big vice and bending them in there till they are right.

Being spring steel, I'd heat'em with a torch. I watched a beaver pull out of a 330 today that I had set 10 seconds earlier. Def. needed stronger springs.

You should be able to muscle it closed the reason they twist the eye is the round loop end is hard to keep it's shape if opened the long way, probably need to over twist it and it should come back a bit then !

A vice and a big pair of channel lock pliers, you can twist them closed fairly easily.

Thanks guys!! Going to give it a whirl-just wasn't sure if heating them was bad or good etc..will try without first.I always find it amazing the little tricks guys pick up over the years-just wanted to ask

Heating is bad as is welding the eye shut. Some tried that and the eye broke off after welding the eye shut.

^^..the vise is your friend!.....first thing taught in Gunsmith and Blacksmith classes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tb0RSqfmmM
This will help, It's in french but you will get the drift of it.

I clamp the eye in a vise, heat with a torch and bend into position. The Bridger #330 spring is what I use as well for replacement springs. Seems to fit everything I own.

used the vice and it worked out just fine-thanks guys!