#1 used to be the trap of choice for muskrat trappers, but unless in a stoploss model, in my opinion there are FAR better traps. lots of old trappers wired weights to #1 before use, many (including myself) used a RR spike. the reason why is simple, #1 just don't have the weight to consistently drown rats/mink unless in 100% DEEP water with no vegitation.
I grew up using #1s on big marshes, and continued to use them on my creeks, but quit using them quite a few years ago. The 1.5 longspring is a much better trap, as are the 1.5 coils because they have enough weight, to keep them under.
I've never used duke #1s, but have a couple of doz #0s for gophers- and the #0 has very bad springs- even with gohpers, I have to do the old hammer over a pipe many times a season, or they just won't hardly fire. Don't know if the #1s have the same problem or not.
now before someone asys they catch rats all the time in them, I agree. Millions of rats/mink have been taken in #1s over the years, I myself have taken a ton in them- but there are better options.
If they were all I had, I'd use them- but can't see nowadays with the low price of 1.5s, any reasn to buy them new unless after gophers.
