Why call it offset. It should be called "RECESSED".

and what difference does it make if your shooting it??
I understand if your selling live yotes... but if your dispatching it... why all the hoopla about offset... I mean recessed !

Offset jaws, or whatever you want to call them, allow the levers to fully close. Using offset jaws also allows you to use a larger trap size in some states.

I dont completely understand it either. I've got some and the jaws dont touch when I catch a coyote so they are putting the same pressure on the foot as a regular jaw. I understand the the holding advantage of the jaws coming up higher but dont understand how they can be any more foot friendly.

Offset jaws are no more foot friendly then regular jaws. And In some cases they will cause more foot damage then a regular jawed trap.
They will give you better lock up.

I bought all offset under the pretense that was false. I have to agree after a couple of years of using them. For the most part they are great, but that small gap in the jaws gives wiggle room, especially on smaller game. You won’t lose any with an offset, but live market would definitely be out of the question. From now on any traps purchased will all be regular jawed traps.

100% spot on !!

I had read something somewhere where a guy was involved with trapping wolves for studies and for relocation and he claimed that toothed traps were better on the foot that smooth jawed traps. Claimed the puncture wound healed faster and caused less damage than the smooth jaw were the foot slid back and forth across the jaws. I've never been involved with wolves but the guy seemed to know his stuff. I found it kind of interesting. Even gave the name of the trap company where they got them but I dont remember their name. Seems like it was in Texas maybe.

Found it
Livestock Protection Company
Alpine Texas

A slightly off center swivel point on the base will help a bunch of problems also imo.

When WI did wolf research they used 14s and I believe 114s all toothed traps.

And IIRC there was no paw damage

Kinda sort of.The teeth reduced edema-(swelling).Those LPC traps are also offset.The teeth also prevent sliding.I have yet to talk to a wolf trapper that recommends a closed jaw trap.The AK trappers I have talked to also say that teeth are not needed.

If the foot slides in an offset jawed trap,the offset is too big for the targeted species.It is'nt that super critical,either.The offset in MB 550's is as good as any I have used.On red fox,coyotes and cats,they either lock up all the way or one lever locks at the top and the other may be 1/16"-1/8" from reaching the top.That is pretty darned good.No traps will act the same on a skunk as it does on a coyote.If it works the same on fox,cats,and coyotes,that is good,to me.I don't have gray fox and don't target coons.That could change things,if I did.I couldn't sleep at night if I lost a $3 coon.

X2 - If the closed jaw traps used a slightly wider opening in the lever or if the taper on the jaw on the outside of the jaw were to allow the lever to rise higher they would have the same lock up as offset jaws. As for easier on the foot, I think the main reason people believe this is because in the creation of the offset, the jaw faces are sometimes widened thus the pressure on the foot with a wider jaw face is dispersed over a wider area. Often the machining creates a smoother jaw surface as well, more rounded over edges.

Now if you want to talk about welded lugs that create an offset there are only two advantages IMO 1. The make the trap legal in states where offsets are required (stupid law) and 2. if you catch a bird they could possibly, sometimes, create less injury.

Thin jaw face + weak springs + end swivel + direct pull in line with jaws = foot sliding.

Agreed.

I think swivel at end of spring is one reason for foot damage in old Victor DLS with offset jaws. I suppose if desired they could be modified with frame mounted swivels and jaw lams.

I have a question ,,, because I believe once a foot is on the opposite side side of trap as base swivel how does it move .???

I believe that a end of the frame mounted chain Is better then a center mounted chain. Reason being I s once that critter makes It's initial pull the foot moves to the tightest part of the trap and It's not going to move again no matter how much that critter pulls.

they get to the end of the chain and keep pulling red. now they can move the foot sideways. they dont pull in a straight line.

what ever discomfort an animal may experience in a trap it is a much less than dying of tooth decay, mange, distemper, arthritis, starvation, , parvo, worms etc which is how predators die a "natural death". Its pretty common for prey animals to be eaten alive.

Now don't misunderstand me. I want anything I catch to be as distress free as I can manage it but what little discomfort I cause for the short time an animal is in my trap is not immoral or animal torture. Every animal will die. There are no nursing homes for wild animals. What we do is 100 times less suffering that what mother nature does. I will never make apologies for trapping.

Well put!

I agree with ADC welded lug offset...never really thought catching a bird . I did catch one in #3 rubber jaw trap, released with no damage.

So they do roll a foot but I think we talking about how sawing action .
Now I get this is old debate some guys like center swiveling .
But the mj600 is a pretty good trap and it's off center and was designed that way . So imo it does have merit. Just personal preference