Couple years ago I bought three dozen Montgomery #3 dogles s new in box from Cronks. I base plated, laminated and added new chain with MBcrunch swivels. I have never used them, but with winter here I have been working on them. To increase pan tension I filed the notch deeper, adjusted the pans to lay flat and bent the spring latch to have the loose jaw lay flat. Seems much improved. Any other suggestions?

No suggestions just a comment. Be careful when filing the pan notch, I've seen dogless pans filed to the point where the Trap can not be set. And then you are sort of up a creek. With a dog on Trap, it is easy to replace the pan if the notch is filed too much. Not so easy on a dogless trap.

Hear ya! The existing notch was minimal and fired to easy. I have only done two so far, filing a little, setting the trap and testing until pan tension feels right. This makes a much improved trap

By the way, I am filing the notch deeper

I filed 2 dozen on mine to be night latched. Takes a little time with a triangle shaped file but works very well.

Great traps!

Update: I am in the process of changing out the springs on three dozen of.my Bridger #3dogless with music wire springs. I am replacing the original springs on the #3 original Montgomery traps with the Bridger springs (much stronger). The file work on the dogles s pan has resulted in a consistent 3-3.5 lb pan tension. Outcome is a much improved coyote trap

Skyedancer post a picture of this notch you filed! I’d like to see it! Thanks

I run exclusively #3&#4 Victor Montgomery traps for coyote and this is how I file my notch. My pan tension runs between 4 and 5 lbs. If you want less just slope the angle going upward slightly.

Thanks Trapperjdb, I have yet to learn how to post pictures. I have two dozen of the original #3 Montgomery traps bought still new in the box from Cronks, but the pan system is the same. They were way to quick to fire, so I have been filling the notch shown in the image deeper and cleaner. It's important to file and check the pan tension as you go until you reach your desired let off. As noted above, if tension is to high slant the notch a bit. I have also found it useful to clean up the point of contact on the jaws with the file as well. With this and the other modifications mentioned earlier in this post, I have turned a trap bought at a1970's price into a very useful tool!

This is my second season using Montgomery’s and I love them. Once you get that notch filed right, they are pretty much maintenance free on the line. No more tightening down pans to adjust pan tension. I like the simplicity of them.

Thanks jdb!