I’ve been looking into buying some Montana #3’s for coyote. I can’t find their jaw spread online other than 6”. Is this the inside jaw spread or outside? I trap in Ohio now where I would need them laminated and only the inside jaw spread matters, and sometimes I trap in PA where the outside jaw spread matters.

Thanks Josh

Outside

If you're live market you don't want them, just saying. PM if you want to know more.

I’m not live market. I’m looking to pick up a dozen traps and figured I’d try 2 new types. I was looking into the Sleepy Creek 1.75 4x4, #2 Bridger dogless modifies, and the #3 Montana specials modified. I picked up some 550’s last year and liked them a lot but I wanted to try em all lol. I was gonna pick up a half dozen of two of them.

IMO, they are oversprung. When you combine that with a round profile jaw edge that looks like 45acp hardball you can probably get what I mean.

I really like the dogless design, though. I've liked that design ever since handling my first montgomery step-in. They usually require some tuning and filing to flatten the jaw and set tension but once tuned they stay tuned without ever needing to straighten or replace a dog. IMO, the two biggest weakness in traps are pan bolts that always need adjusting and dogs and dog eyes that constantly need attention.
I think I'd put the Wolf Creek dogless on that list of yours. I've yet to get my hands on one but by all appearances they look good.

I’ll check into them. I’ve never heard of them. I went from a heavy Fox area in central PA to a heavy coyote area in SW Ohio. I’m switching up to some bigger traps, especially since the ground is easier to set in.

There are some nice fully modified Montana’s for sale in the trap shed from a good guy for a fair price, I picked up some more from him. Such a simple, maintenance free trap that works great with screen.

Yeah I just messaged him!

The Montana #3 is 6" outside spread inside is roughly 5 5/8 and is legal if laminated.

Fully modded would probably be okay, especially if the torch was passed over those springs.

Payotetrapper, you coming to the state convention?

I have not looked it up. When is it?

Sept 6-7. Its always the friday/saturday immediately following labor day

You should also add the "No-Bs" K9 Extremes or Extreme Jr's to your list.....