I’ve got a number 3 double longspring I picked up somewhere,, it’s got outside laminated jaws,,,but the chain was still in the original clevis…I just felt like tinkering with it. To center swivel it and put it in to use.

I have some old baseplates laying around… so I just drilled some holes and bolted them onto the frame ( I don’t own a welder) . I’ve done 3 dozen Montanas like this..
However,,, I couldn’t locate any of the d rings I had left… so I put a 1/4 inch quick connect on the bottom,,, and looking at it ,, I don’t feel comfortable with it…
Any opinions about this??

I know people use them. In the past I used them too but I lost a trap once and that was one too many. I am probably overreacting but I don't like losing traps and animals. The quick link was used between the anchor chain and the end of the trap chain, between swivels. The set was on private ground on a sandbar along a creek. There were no boot tracks or even disturbed sand outside of the catch circle and the animals path in and out. The quick link was on the ground outside of the catch circle a bit and open just enough for the chain link to pop through. I had used pliers to tighten it down but apparently the fight from a coyote was enough to loosen it. Now I used welded J hooks for everything. Again, probably an over correction and not necessary but that memory has stuck with me.

I use 3\16 quick links on my cable stakes. So far I haven't had any problems. Make sure they are tightly closed. I've even held incidental wolves with them, which I wish wouldn't get caught. Not fun to release.

All I use. pliers and wrench to tighten them up. Don't tighten too much or they can strip.

If I used them I’d weld them but I have trust issues. LOL

I use 1/4” quick links at wolf and wolverine sets with zero issues. As others have mentioned tighten them with a wrench or pliers. Wouldn’t trust them only finger tight.