I set 220's on cross overs for beaver and otter. I had a new Belisle 220 catch an otter right behind the head. The trap did it's job on contact. When I reset the trap, I saw the jaws were bent. The jaws were bent enough I could insert my four fingers to the knuckles.I have never had a 220 get it's jaws bent this much and not on one catch.
Has anyone else have this happen? or is this really unusual. Really didn't expect a bent jaw.

Had it happen on a couple of coons with the belisle.

Put it in a vise and straighten it.

Ive not had that happen yet on a Balisle though only duke

We use the 160's on Woodchucks all summer. It happens daily with them. I just take a hammer to the jaws on the truck tailgate,a couple taps to each side and they close perfectly again. I won't use anything except Belisle's anymore, enough additional animals captured that may have been lost to more than justify the initial cost.

They're all I use Also. I sold off all others years ago and re bought all New

I have it happen occasionally to 280's and 330's. From what I can decipher, it happens when the trap strikes the narrowest portion of the neck. There simply isn't enough cushion to displace the power of the springs to prevent minor bending. Belisle strikes are deadly but in these instances they are nanosecond lights-out.

I use the 160s to dispatch coons and yes the jaws bend a lot and I straighten in the vice. Strong springs and good steel but the spring strength is so strong the jaws bend. Tried the 220 and similar results but quite easy to remedy. Do have to say the coons succumb quickly however in these traps.

Bryce

Same here, except I prefer the Belisle Classics, not the SuperXs, they are too hard to stabilize, IMO.

Yes. Happens frequently. put stakes between the two ends and beat it back into shape with your stake driver. Good luck.

Had that happen occasionally with the 330 B solved the problem--got rid of them all and replaced them with Dukes. Kills the beavs just as dead...

I have some BMI 160s that have slightly warped jaws from catches, I havent straightened them out yet and they keep on doing their job to satisfaction.

I have had bent jaws, have got few coyotes in 220s bfore, i have few them, strong springs, I dont know what think ax have had few live coon an possum in beliese 220s

I have had bent jaws, have got few coyotes in 220s bfore, i have few them, strong springs, I dont know what think ax have had few live coon an possum in beliese 220s, I don't like that at all

I just use a few Belisle for dispatching purposes. They are a real pain to use on the line in blind trail sets etc. I have made my own holders and even with those they are not easy to work with and with their style and diameter of their steel they are much harder to conceal. I used BMI160 Magnums for about 10 years. Loved those traps and they bent as well but closed tight. I sold all my Victors, Belisle (other than the few) and my BMIs for Dukes as I move springs on an off for rats and I have not had live coons in my Duke 160s and they are much more friendly to unset and set.

Bryce

Weld some striker bars on em and problem solved. I have 220's and 330's that I have welded striker bars on and no more bending.they are all dukes tho. But now they close tight like belisle with no warpage

They are the cheapest Canadian bodygrip-you get what you pay for.That said I use the 330's and 120's.

Thanks for the information. I can bend the jaws back. I have had a number bent on 330's.
Boco maybe Belisle needs to buy US Steel.

If they went to a harder steel, I would think they would have issues making the jaw bends the way they do.