Not trying to convert anyone, just reporting my findings.

The Duke 550 held this kitty by 2 toes long enough for me to get there. I have 2 dozen of the Duke 550s that will be used in the area that traps seem to grow legs on occasion. That same set had a fox 2 days ago and the trap is fine. If things go like normal I expect to see a coyote in that trap within a day or so. The remake looks like a bomb went off though.

I have both, and used both last season for coyotes. I liked the Duke 550 but they definitely weren't built as sturdy as the MBs, after about every coyote catch I had bent levers and/or pan. Good luck this season

This small male was caught in one of my experiment traps. Obviously the paint smell isn't going to deter all coyote. The set was a step down dirt hole. Problem was the coyote was chewing on the trap when. I got there. He managed to bend, twist, both levers pretty good and the dog was bent raising the pan and lowering pan tension. Catch was full deep so hold is ok. Definitely not MB quality no matter how they look. For the small savings I won't be buying any more. These are my findings, others opinion and experience may vary. Just passing on what is found.

any more in dipped traps?

ttt

Interesting.

I've always used flat primer

Thanks for all the info and pictures. I think I'll stick with mb.

probably still walnut dye and wax but it's interesting the paint smell didn't seem to have as much of an effect as I thought it would

Ol'dad

Thanks for the report. I’m real curious now because I used Formula 1 for a couple dozen traps this year. They appear armor coated now, lol. Hoping they hold up with no refusals. And yeah, All I have are MB traps and think I’ll just stick with them.

No update on dipped traps?

So I will go ahead speak to my experience with both the D550s and D650s. I will also preface my comments by saying that I am live market trapper and am very critical of my equipment and the traps I run.

I bought a dozen Duke 550s (very skeptically) last year and ran them hard at the end of season. No issues at all. Not even the "bur" you referred to on the pan lip. I did lower the pans on all of mine and changed out the swivels (and added a swivel) but I do that on all my traps. Long story short, if a coyote stepped in them he was there when I pulled up.

Earlier in the Fall this year, I ran 2 dozen Duke 650s with my last years' dozen Duke 550s. Again, the traps performed flawlessly. The only issue that I have encountered with the 650s is the inability to raise the pan tension above 3 lbs (I like to run 4+ while coyote trapping). With the larger jaws and the way they are designed, I have only had full paw/pad catches though so far and I'm not losing sleep over it. They make a heck of a flat set trap, which is 95% of what I run. Again, if they visited the set they were there waiting on me.

So I see all the "Made in USA" people making comments about sticking with their MBs because of "quality". I can tell you right now that both the Duke 550 and Duke 650 are both quality traps that hold up very well to catching animals, especially coyotes. I will be converting my entire arsenal of coyote traps to Dukes over the next few years and will be happy with my decision. I also will be supporting a Mississippi company (yes I know the owners and many of their employees) and will have more money in my pocket at the end of the day because they are economically-priced. I'm also a guy that actually runs his equipment hard season after season.

Closed case for me.

dipped traps strike? How many coyotes in them?

Why did you skeptically buy traps from people you know? And are you selling your other traps as you convert over?

I caught 12 coyotes in the paint dipped traps that I swear I can smell the paint. Obviously the smell doesn't bother them. I had an even mix of older and younger coyotes also. I should have had more but work got busy so I pulled.most of my sets and only kept the ones close to home.

Because I always "skeptically" buy a new type or style of trap until I get 50+ coyotes in them... : )

And I haven't thought about selling my others yet. May hang onto them just for backup.

One thing I didn't mention is I have caught 3 bobcats, several Coon and also possum. The paint dipped traps have held up very well even on the coon that normally shine a trap up. The have even held up to the driveway salt I use for antifreeze.

Tranny for sure

X2 won a couple d550s and had some d650s given to me by a good friend to try and both have performed great. Both needed the usual tinkering and filing I do with any priced trap. The ONLY gripe I have is the 650s lock up so hard it is difficult to release cats. But that's a good thing when something steps in one

Nice catches.

nice write up strike.