How often or do you at all change the springs on your body grip traps? I've had most of mine for q0 plus years and to me they seem fine. Just would like some advice on this.

Unless your trapping in really acidic or salt environments with unprotected traps, you should never have to replace the springs unless you let it sit in a river for a few years before you found it.

Put the end of the spring in a vise and twist it open just enough to undo it

The vise is your friend! Every mans shop is sposd to have a vise and grinder!

It depends on the brand. I have BMI's from the 80s that are still strong.
I've replaced Victor springs (330s) after one season...and in hind sight I should have done it out of the box)
Same with Sleepy Creeks...junk.

And some of us remember the old Duke #220s... They came complete with catch circles.

BUT a lot of guys never give It a thought if the animals is dead when they get there. Or complain that they "cant set them by hand if they are too strong. Buy a setter.

Coon are tough critters. Keep em strong.

A bodygrip should have strong springs.I wont use a bodygrip with weak springs.The newer traps seem to have springs that retain their strength compared to older ones.
Also the old series one victors with the square frame will lose a lot of fur.Otter as well as smaller animals will escape the jaws due to the large gap.

Calvin you think sleepy creek 220s are junk? I got a dozen new ones 10 years ago I love them best 220s I have. Seem very strong to me I even have taken several beaver in them. Maybe I just haven't experienced the right brands which one do you recommend?

Glad you're Sleepy Creek #220s work for you 802. I should have clarified I have not used the #220s. Only the 110s, then played with some new 330s. My 110s were so soft, I was completely missing rats or hip catching them...right out of the box. I then "Felt" the #330s and noted they were almost equally as week. I'll have to go grab a new Sleepy Creek 220 now the next time I'm at Cumberlands.

Did I just get a bad batch? Did you get a good batch? If they are working for you and killing them fast, that's the main thing. Not catch circles like the old Duke #220s used to make. But some guys thought those were just fine because the animal was dead when they got there. One of the best thing Duke did (beside making the 1.5) is change their #220 springs. Good for them.

I always felt very good about the BMIs. (especially the 220s). Harder to get but always worth the wait. But one very good beaver trapper on here just bought some of the 330s and noted how weak the springs were...he was very disappointed...which makes me a bit nervous now.

Point being seems things change fast in the spring strength industry. I have some old Victor 330s that lasted a long time. I bought some new victor 330s a few years ago. Springs felt soft but they were new. I watched a beaver escape out of one the first day in the water. I replaced those brand new springs with the Bridger 330s springs (which are great replacement springs, BTW).

I have noticed my Sauvageau springs on fifteen year old 330s are as strong or stronger than the new sauvageau 330s. Quite the trap, and I am always amazed at how the old ones seem even tougher to compress than the new ones. I have only replaced springs if they are broken, and that only happens a time or two a year.

Thanks for the recommendation on Bridger replacement springs I have some 220s picked up for cheap used at trapping convention and a few of them the springs are SMOKED. Could be a got a good batch of the sleepy creek 220s who knows but they're about 15 years old and still killing fast.

Just to be clear, I have not used the Bridger #220 replacement springs (if they even sell them like they do the #330. I've only used the #330s springs that were designed for the new Bridger #330s when MTP took them over. In the #330s world that is my preferred trap, and springs for replacement on that size.

The Bridger #330 springs have smaller eyes, that some hand setting guys don't like, but I like them just fine as I set with tongs. Either way, that spring has fit just fine on a variety of #330s that I've replace the springs on . Clear as mud? Sheese, I think I'm confused now.

Clear as mud it is lol