MB450 versus Duke 550 / 650 Pro's

Looking for opinions, please.
For coyote trapping, which do you feel is better - MB450 offset traps (which I have a few of), or Duke 550 or 650 Pro's?
Would appreciate your input. Thanks in advance.

For me, traps with jaw spread of 6-6.5" are superior .

550s an 650s are hands down great coyote traps. Can't go wrong with either

I'd spend the extra money on MB 550's,I'm sure the Duke's are decent footholds maybe real good,the steel and springs are not as good as the MB's and I bet they don't have American chain or swivels.I don't know if you like doggless traps or not Caven's came out with the Alpha this last summer I have not used them,I'm sure they are nice.I run 85% Sterling,10% Jakes and 5% MB 550's.

I would not buy the Duke ripoffs.
Don’t handicap yourself with traps of inferior quality, which includes all components as stated by Rick.
Also don’t limit yourself with traps that are smaller than the legal ideal.
Go with the MB traps of the best legal size for your area.
I use the MB-550 2 coil offset jaw.

If your serious about long term the MB Alpha #3 deserves a close look. The MB 550s also. I use both for different situations. MB450s will hold coyotes till the cows come home but a smaller trap is a handicap. Trap is only as good as the steal it's made from!

The alpha looks great

Great, thank you for all of the info!! Appreciate it!

Taiwan

I have some Duke 550s and they are great coyotes traps. I also have some 650s but haven't used them yet. Both traps are well built.

X2

I guess my coyotes didn`t read all the bad things about the dukes.The duke 550 and 650 work great and are cheaper.

No problem with my Duke 550's or the 650's.

Actually not, but your computer and phone is! I planted mine untreated and have very little rust. That tells me a bunch about the quality of the steel!

I have bought Bridger's, MBs, Duke, I have a couple of the MB550s that I assume are the same except in size... They are well made however I have a hard time getting the levers over the hinge points... I do not have any of the Dukes 550/650 yet...but do own several #3s,2cs, etc. I have not done much to them except replace a screw on the pan after a deer stepped on it, or add chain and swivels... After having them for 6+ years. Duke is under rated imo.

450's were made with a small jaw spread so you won't catch sheep but still tough enough to hold yotes.

I have mb 550 650's i use some. I bought 2 dz of the duke pro 550's to try out. I bought some of the Duke # 2 dogless 4 coil offset traps. Looks just like the Bridger # 2 dogless 4 coil offset trap. I dont have any issues with dukes. Only thing i done to the duke dogless. I checked the pan tension and laminated the jaws.

I don't know if comparing 450s to those two larger traps will give the answers the poster or many of us would be looking for. I do know a trapper who catches a lot of yotes and cats in 450s.

I don't know the exact measurements but does someone know the percentage increase in jaw spread space between a 450, 550 and 650, to me the increase in jaw spread area is more important then just knowing inches.
For those with considerable experience do smaller jaw traps cause more missed catches (not sprung) or more sprung traps ( poor catches, pullouts etc.?

Bryce

If you can use them the mb650 are a good trap.

I have both MB550 and Duke 550/650 - I prefer the duke 550/650 due to larger pan. The chains and swivels on the Dukes are more than enough for any coyote walking N. America. Outside of that, they all three work and catch the same. I have caught a ton of coyotes and bobcats with all three as well as Victor, Montgomery, Blake & Lamb, Bridger, etc... they all work. I trap in the south so 550s are more than enough. If I trapped up north, I would lean towards the 650s just for the added reach in snow. The MB450s IMHO are better suited for fox and coon. If I lived where there were a lot of foxes, I might go that route but the 550 would also work. If I had to spend the rest of my days only using the Duke 550s for coyotes, I would not feel handicapped at all... they are a great coyote trap.

Have bought some mb alphas and duke 650's.Both look like great traps.I really like the duke 650 pans and crisp firing system.So far not impressed with the alphas firing system as there is no click leveling the pan.Looks like I will have to carefully work with a file on them.

I can’t speak for the duke 550s, but I have mb 450s and duke 650s. I’ve caught coyote and fox in my 450s, and they hold up really well. All in all, they are awesome traps. However, I know I’ve missed some catches just due to the small jaw spread. We can’t use the 650s here on land, so I’ve only set them for beaver. The chain and swivels are definitely cheaper on the 650s, but they seem like decent traps. If your state allows you to use the 650 on land, I’d probably choose the largest trap you can legally use.