I was going through my traps and getting them all cleaned up, boiled, and dipped in some FMJ (trying it out this year and so far love it). I get looking at all my traps and my pride and joy is my MJ500. I had two but one of them went missing with a coyote. The joys of public land trapping. Hahaha it was the only time I've had fur stolen where I was more upset about the trap then the fur. I still think I'm one of the last, if not the last person to buy one brand new. A few years ago I was looking at Montgomery Furs traps online when I noticed the MJ500s didn't say "not available". I gave Nathan a call and he said he had a few. I was driving up that way the next day for Christmas so I went to his shop and he only had 2 left so I bought them both. They are such and awesome and well built trap, that I've been trying to find more. The only place I see them is occasionally someone will be selling some on Ebay for an outrageous price. Anyways, I've always admired those old time traps that were very well built and just felt good in your hands. The kind of traps that you wish you could go back and buy a few dozen of them. I feel like the MJ will be that trap for my kids. I have an MB650 cast jaw, and while it is an awesome trap, it's still not in the same class as the MJ.. Just curious if anyone knows of anything that competes with the MJ is the way of quality?

Here's some pics for those who haven't handled and MJ and for those who just like looking at well build traps!

The best trigger out there MJ's are my #1 yote trap along some SC 1.75 for the risky places.

Lots of good things about the MJs. Just wish they still made them!

Nice looking trap.

Lots of good things about the MJs. Just wish they still made them!


They still do....

Nice trap. Quality is hard to come by these days, and it cost when you find it.

MJ500 is the second best yote trap ever made, second only to the MJ600.
The sterling MJ traps are a fine tool for taking yotes and cats. And yes they are still being made.

Guys help me out. I know the Sterling 500/600's are outstanding traps, and I know the MB 650's are also, but the 650 gets a lot of criticism because of a "dead spot". I'm guessing this "dead spot" is from the back half of the pan to the jaw. Looking at the top picture of the 500, I don't see where it is any different then the MB650. I'm not trying to discredit either trap, I'm just trying to get a better understanding as to why some folks prefer the Sterling over the MB. IMHO, I think if you use the argument that the Sterling is a better built/quality trap, you're splitting hairs, both are outstanding. If someone could post a picture of a MJ600, and explain why, that would be awesome. Thanks, I appreciate it!

Hey Lone, there is a picture on the Sterling Fur website.

I appreciate it Yama, I've seen that pic and it's very grainy. What I would like, if someone is willing, is to post a picture of an MJ600, and explain to me the benefits of it over a MB650. Not trying to ruffle any feathers, just trying to get a better understanding. I've been doing this over 40 years, and never want to stop learning. Thanks again.

A smoother trigger is the key it has a small edge that slides off of a piece of flat stock that is notched this allows it to hold pressure and the break away clean resulting in a 3/4 pad catch in good conditions. It has the ability to hold a yote with a less then ideal type of catch. I believe the advantage is the notch is beyond the pivot point eliminating any "dead spot".

A lot of parts are interchangeable from the 650 to the 600 the 500 has a different jaw but the springs work on both. If you ever get to use one that lightbulb will come on once your familiar with the way they work.

Sorry Law Dog, let me try this again. Explain to me how there is less of a "dead spot" on a MJ500/600 as opposed to a MB650? That's why I'm asking for the pic of the MJ600, because I see no difference on the above MJ500. I'm really trying to rationalize why I would pay an extra $130.00 a dz (MB650 cast vs MJ600) for the same size "dead spot". Thanks for your time.

Thanks! I was curiously waiting on your kind of a response. I like the MJ500 size and it's feel best for my line, but the price is...WHEW! I may pull the trigger at some point and buy a few to try, they get an awful lot of good reviews.

A few years back, I had 3 Wardens , trying to release a 4 year old Lion Tom from one of my MB550’s (2 coiled), didn’t work out !! How much harder would that be with a MJ 600 or MJ 500

I would think it has to do with the tab hanging out past the center of the dog rod and the 1/16 of a inch to the fire point when that latch slips over the end of the tab has a lot to do with it. The spring pressure seems to hold tight enough to allow more pressure on the pan but it breaks clean and crisp resulting in a perfect 3/4 pad catch.

MJs is about all I run for yotes and some on badgers and cats also I have been running them for years and I can't say a bad thing about them except tuning them after tractor damage can be tricky but most can be fixed.

Easier then a #3 longspring for sure! Never caught a lion but the bobcats I have released was just a matter of controlling the springs like any other trap.

I'm lusting after one of those MJ's but at $35 a pop it would be just one for display purposes only. I love my MB's.

A 3-4 grand investment in yote traps is hard to do it takes years to build up to that so start young and work your way up to the number that is your goal.

That’s impressive. As Roy D. Mercer would ask, “just how Big a boy are ya” ? Lol