I mis remembered on the lam's, the #2s are INside laminated. Here's a pic.

That will work.

I have no where near the experience as Swamp Wolf nor have I had to consider damage for live markets. But in my experience for fur trapping the differences between closed and open is insignificant compared to differences in swiveling and use or non use of shock springs. Three or four swivels (6 or 8 j hooks) and shock springs are easier on feet. And a 24 hour check.

10" of chain with 3 swivels dosen't let the critter get much of running start. So you have minimum foot damage. I don't see where a shock spring makes any difference In this situation.

We'll have to agree to disagree on the swiveling not helping with foot damage. Back when we used to have a good amount of fox here, both red and gray, i learned early on that once the chain bound up and they kept twisting and rolling that's when bad things happened. Once i started adding more swiveling points, it was a whole lot easier on the feet. Again, i use both os and non os jaw traps and can't say one is better than the other as i've had pullouts in both. Most likely due to operator error.

I think the foot has less tendancy to slide when the critter jumps if the spring absorbs the shock. Having said that, I only have them on half my traps. I also think a wolf can pull out easier if there is NO shock spring. Just my observations.

You didn't say whether the 550s were 2 or 4 coiled ... You don't need 4 coils to hold coyotes with a 550. But you may want 4 coils if your coming up thru frozen cover.

Offset jaws are not the best choice for clamping on to tapered feet; but coyotes don't have tapered feet. Offset jaws will allow higher levers which generally means a better lockup based on lever/jaw geometry. Closed jaws will actually have slightly more force with the lower level position. As an all purpose trap I would go with a closed jaw trap.

All my canine traps are set up having a swivel at the center d-ring, enough chain to add a second swivel just outside of the frame (3-4 links > cut the standard supplied chain in half), attached the other half of chain and supplied swivel to the second swivel, then add whatever termination desired: shock spring, extension, or/and anchor hardware. Multiple swivels near the trap (3 or more) reduce foot damage better than jaw type in my opinion.

All my 550s are closed jaw, 3 swivels , set up for double staking. I had a dozen that were 4 coiled , didn't take long to take the 2 extra coils off. 4 coils unnecessary in our part of the country.. I have switched over to all 550 closed jaw traps for Coyote.

I looked at a few shock springs and I don't see where a fox could close that spring. And I'm not sure a coyotes could when you have a short chain set up. You also have to consider the weight of the trap hanging on to that foot that will cause foot damage.

When i trapped for the live market I used 175 Dukes with Inside lams.
There were no coyotes only reds and greys.
I found that soft catch traps cut off circulation more then a closed jaw laminated trap. That rubber kind of warped around the whole foot. And that gave me more dead footed fox. Those fox were held by the buyer for awhile before being released In the pen.

I use close Jaws and don't worry about feet damage.

I use the hides for craft work, having good feet is important to me.

I have JCs shock springs on all of my canine traps. I like them and I personally wouldn't set a foothold trap without one.

I don't think they help with foot damage. But they might help with shoulder damage and toe catches.

The main thing they do is keep pressure off the trap and stake. JCs have a 75 pound pull so that's 75 pounds of pressure taken off that trap and stake.

I've never tried the shock springs. I'm a shortchainer with most of that being swivels so they don't have any room to get a running start. Not sure if i would benefit from the ssprings. I do think that live market trapping is a whole different ball game and if i did that i'm sure i would try whatever i had to to get good results.

I have both and they both work as long as you are targeting canines. Mine are 2 coiled.

I use the MB-550's wih the offset. Absolutely love them.

I've played with a few brand traps an offset or not the 550s they just pretty much bed themselves something to consider for k9 trapping all trapping for that matter

Closed Jaw...I add a mid-chain swivel.

In addition, a little off topic, but why are the 450’s called cast jaws and the much bigger ones called laminated. Is it basically the same concept? One can clearly see that they both have wide closures

That’s why some say teeth are more humane, foot can’t slide and a small wound to reduce swelling. But they look and sound bad to the bunny huggers.

^ Right here is the real answer....Never owned a OS trap, never will.