I recently took two coils off my 550s and they say I should cut off the pins. Why is that?

Because they could get caught on the chain and might prevent the swivels from working. Some people bend them in together so the ends are touching each other so the chain will not catch. I leave them on, in case I want to four coil someday.

Reduce fur damage and trap damage.
And so when you want to 4 coil again, you gotta buy a new spring
I don't cut mine, and never had a problem

When you make a catch, your chain will eventually get tangled on those long spring pins. Does not happen all the time but it will happen if you leave them long. But if you think you might want to put the extra springs back on some time, you can bend the spring pins under the cross frame so the chain can not get tangled on them.

Thanks to all. What does it cost to repin the trap?

clip away, you will never want to go back to 4 coils, and the trap would be toast if the chain hangs up on the pins, and it will sooner or later.

Really? The trap gets hosed up if the chain catches on those? MB550s seem pretty stout to me.

It won't damage the trap but if if the chain gets snagged on one,then swiveling stops which can lead to foot damage that you don't want.I've had it happen.

I just tuck mine under the cross so I can reinstall the helper springs if I need to dome day.Those spring pins are a little bit of a pain to remove and install.Don't over-think it,

That trap is a thing of beauty. Like a Rembrandt. I may frame this pic.

What is the reasoning for going from 4 coil to 2 coil? I hear 4 coil is too much? Too much for what exactly?

If you arent gonna 4 coil them again just cut them off. If you bend them under the frame eventually you will need to replace the springs in a few years and they are a pia to bend back straight to come out. Been there done that. If you leave them long every grey fox you catch will have the chain or swivel hung up on the pin and he will be all wrapped up and hurting.

They are not hard,at all to bend out,using pliers and or the nut driver or tubing you use to reinstall the springs under the lever. Been there.

That's a fact, it's only a matter of when. 4 coil is completely un necessary for our coyotes and bobcats so I cut them all off as suggested by MB.