Bus3, wire levers cut through trap covering a bit easier less surface area vs bulkier standard levers. Just another advantage for a trapper working adverse/frozen ground conditions.

SOME of us are NOT worried about damage. And working on place where non targets do not exist. And in soft dirt. Only a fool would not use a NO BS Extreme 4 coiled Wire Lever trap when he could IF he could afford them. I have said many times before. IF I didn't have 175 plus = MJ 600 Sterling to run OR had to start from scratch. I would buy = 200 = NO BS 4 coiled traps. I catch coyotes 365 days a year. The NO BS 4 coil Extreme is a great trap !!!! I use them at times. And will be buying more

But it’s substantially heavier. Which is the biggest problem with it for non-targets or smaller than intended critters.

Throw in some mud……heavier yet.

Many of these larger traps are overkill. People can say they aren’t to they are blue in the face and it won’t convince me. I guess I really care about the welfare of the animal.

Nothing wrong with caring about the welfare of animal. BUT does your job and lively hood depend on it???? It's not overkill to set big trap for a sheep killing or livestock killing animals!? Deferent traps for different folks. Just tell you what is the best holding traps I have used in 35 years. They are == NO BS Extreme and MJ 600. Sterling

A big thing to look at with traps is pan size. That's the kill zone on a trap. It can have an 8" jaw spread, but if the pan is the same size as a trap with a 5" jaw spread, the trap will be equal with its catch to miss ratio. NO BS traps pride themselves with lever lock. Meaning the levers go high on the jaws. This is where all the holding power comes from. Coils just give the jaws power coming out of the ground. The levers riding high on the jaws is what gives it power.

This is why offset jaws were invented. It has nothing to do with preventing damage to the animal. It just allows the jaws close more which allows the levers to ride higher on the jaws with a catch, which gives the trap more holding power.

So no matter which one you get, you'll have plenty of holding power for anything. The Jr just had a slightly smaller pan. I like the Jr because it's lighter ( I hike a ways to most of my sets), and they are easier to bury if I am making coyote sets. My cat sets are all exposed so the weight is the main reason I use the Jr's.

Your Point understood

I might buy a half dozen or get more 550.

Ex Jr 4 coiled OL is 95% all I use for coyote. Both you mention are way overkill for fox.

I guess that’s true, I was thinking of my own line as i don’t catch very many fox and actually try to avoid them.