X2!

would you do any mods that didn't require welding?

I have always used and been an advocate of smaller traps and I use in line shock absorbers, swivels and off set jaws and center swivels to compensate for the smaller and not as strong of a trap. The traps are 1.75 Victors with two springs.
If I were starting over and younger and had very limited funds I would probably buy used traps to start and the money I save per trap being used I would buy a slightly bigger trap then I use now, say 2s or 3s. Mine are all coil springs but you could buy some long springs. You over time will learn which ones work the best for you.

If you were just looking for a small trap and not cheap the MB 450 can and do hold coyotes.

Bryce

Wouldn't hurt. You could add a mid-chain swivel, bend the jaw tips up a little so they are less likely to pull back through the frame, file the pan and dog so it fires like you like (maybe a nightlatch), you could upgrade the chain, swivels, and J-hooks (I would use the stock chains myself.) Really very little needs done to them they are suitable right of the box to hold coyotes. They will hold any they get a good grip on.

If $$$ was the driving force, I would have to go with a Duke #2 DC OS. 5.88" jaw spread, 4coiled, @~$105/doz. (new)

For me personally, price isn't the sole driver. I look for trap size, usability out of the box, swiveling and wanting a dogless design w/ great pan tension adjustment .... waiting for a look at the MB dogless.

Probably bigger than the 6" max size he asked about though... ???

#3 4CS FOJ Victor Montgomery - 5 13/16 jaw spread, 4 coiled, dogless, forged OS jaw @~$220.00/doz

Good to know Scott. Seems like a small jaw spread for a #3 coil.

Caught a lot of coyotes in the Sleepy Creek 1.75. Good solid trap but not sure if they make them anymore.

Don't over look the bridger 1.75. Very inexpensive, base plated, thicker rounded edge square jaws and steel generally thicker than dukes. You also get two good thick swivels and welded chain on them stock, not twist link.
I have caught a lot of coyotes in these and price is right there to duke 175s but a much better built trap. I have a few dozen of these and they are a great trap for the $8 a piece price range.
There is also very little difference between a duke 2 round jaw and a duke 1.75 round jaw, except for price and different number on the pan. I have a bunch of these too but I use them in high traffic and possible theft areas. Dukes have a place on my line but please know I rebend and retune my dukes often after coyote catches and in these higher risk locations i don't get upset as much over a stolen or damaged one. My bridgers get set in better locations.
I will say though the newer square jaw dukes look like a vast improvement over their round jaw 2s and 1.75s.
Jim


Coyote in bridger 1.75. Even in slippery mud it wasn't going anywhere.

What about the duke #2 dogless? That’s about 10-11$ per trap and 4 coiled. The bridger 1.75 is good too though, I have to adjust tweak after coyote catches and sometimes need to remove trap and take home to fix.

I too live in Arkansas. I bought a new dz Duke SJ #2 offset 4 coil traps for 85.00 a dz. I bought them at nta. Alot of people uses Duke 1 3/4 traps. I bought 6 at a yard sale for 20.00. Only one had been used. I 4 coil them. They were regular jaw. So I welded a bead on inside of jaws offset now. I run 3 dz Duke #3 offset 4 coil on public land. I have caught alot of fur in them.

Yes, the new Duke #2 dogless. I bought for $105/dz also. Only recommendation is you might want to upgrade chain/swivels.

Do you really think a coyote Is going to break that chain or compromise that swivel? I've caught lots of coyotes In the Duke dog on # 2 and never had any problems with those parts.

Yes sir, they are. Wolf Creek & Sleepy Creek are sponsors also.

Thanks for the clarification

Good catch! No doubt they will work, but I actually prefer the Bridger 1.65 to the 1.75 for its larger jaw spread and conventional pan set up. I'd still pick the Dukes 1.75 over both. That's why there are lots of trap choices, everyone likes something different in their traps.

I agree beav. But out here in the west I re chain and weld all j's shut
If I knew I was going to only catch coyotes being the biggest critters
I get ,it would be less work .

Point taken.