ruger trap User Guide
STAINLESS
STEEL
For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 32)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE
TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR
PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
KTS 8-01
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
12 GAUGE
2 3/4” chamber
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER
®
TRAP MODEL
SINGLE BARREL
TARGET SHOTGUN
This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking
device. While it can help provide
secure storage for your unloaded
firearm, any locking device can
fail. All guns are designed to fire if
they are loaded and the trigger is
pulled. Therefore, never install the
locking device inside the trigger
guard or in any way that it can
possibly pull the trigger! Do not
leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm must
depend upon its owner and his or
her individual circumstances.
Guns should be securely stored
unloaded, in a secure location,
separate from their ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 25.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE
3
FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use
and care for your RUGER®TRAP MODEL SHOTGUN properly.
Please contact us if you have any questions about it.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can
properly carry out its instructions should you practice loading, etc. with
live ammunition. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or
use a particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised
instruction. Such personalized instruction is often available from gun
dealers, gun clubs or police departments. If none of these sources can
help you, write to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Rd.,
Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will assist you.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you
cannot forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely. Do not use
any firearm without having a complete understanding of its particular
characteristics and safe use. Remember: There is no such thing as a
foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Mechanical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Steel Shot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Assembling the Shotgun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installation of Screw-In Choke Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Operation of the Shotgun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
To Load and Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
To Unload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
To Extract and Eject a Chambered Shot Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
To Remove a Bore Obstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Disassembly Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Special Adjustments for Trap Model Shotgun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Target Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Maintenance of Stainless Steel Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Service and Parts Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Parts Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
“RUGER” and the Ruger Logo are registered U.S. trademarks.
4
5
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND
CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®TRAP MODEL shotgun which you have selected is a single
barrel, single shot, 12 gauge shotgun specifically designed solely for the clay tar
get
sport of trapshooting. As such, it has many specialized features and characteristics
not found in other shotguns designed primarily for field shooting and hunting. You
must thoroughly familiarize yourself with its mechanical characteristics and safe
handling procedures prior to ever taking it onto a trap field. It is strongly
recommended that this shotgun only
be used for trapshooting, due to its
specialized mechanism and features.
Specialized features demanded by target trapshooters and found in the RUGER
®
TRAP MODEL Shotgun include:
● A target trigger, adjustable for weight of pull (see p. 29).
● An adjustable rib, which can be set for individual shooters’ stature, sight
picture, stance, and other preferences (see p. 26).
● A two-bead sighting system located atop the adjustable rib (see p. 27).
WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to
function properly in its original
condition. Alterations can make it
unsafe. Do not alter any part or add
or substitute parts or accessories
not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Locking Devices 3 Bore Obstructions 18
Alterations 5 Malfunctions 22
Ammunition 10 Disassembly 22
Lead Exposure 10 Lubrication 24
Screw-In Chokes 14 Storage 25
Firing 16 Target Trigger 29
Unloading 16 Parts Purchasers 33
Handling 17
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.
6
● A wide, cut-checkered beavertail forend for consistent front hand
positioning.
● A target-style pistol grip of special shape and contour.
● An adjustable buttstock comb, to accomodate various facial configurations,
stances, and hold-over for rising trap targets. It also is laterally adjustable
for “cast off” and “cast on” (see p. 28).
● An adjustable buttpad, which can be set by the shooter for length of pull
and “cant” (the angle of the buttstock from the center line of the stock to
the left or right, as desired) (see p. 27).
● Since single barrel trap guns are never loaded or closed until immediately
prior to a shooter calling “pull” to fire at a clay target (and are opened
immediately after firing or if firing is delayed) trap guns generally have
no separate manual safety/bar
rel selector (see p. 15). There is no
possibility that the shooter will be unable to fire due to forgetting to
correctly move the safety to the “fire” position for each shot during an
extended target competition tournament.
● Another special feature of the Ruger Trap Model shotgun is its straight
grooved “controlled pattern” bore. It prevents rotation of the wad and shot
column while they move down the bore when fired. This minimizes shot
dispension and contributes to improved pattern density on targets at all
ranges. The 34” long barrel is also “back-bored” with a long forcing cone,
which contributes to lessening felt recoil and fatigue. This is especially
important to trapshooters, who routinely fire at hundreds of clay targets
during a match. It accepts the latest screw-in Ruger choke tubes, and is
supplied with “full” and “modified” choke tubes for trapshooting (see pp. 13
- 14).
THE BARREL ASSEMBLY
The barrel is silver soldered to the monoblock at the chamber portion of the
barrel. The adjustable ventilated rib is hinged at the rear and is securely
clamped to two barrel bands soldered to the barrel. The barrel bands have a
dovetail on top that the rib clamps are dovetailed into, allowing the rib to slide in
these dovetails as the barrel heats up from shooting. The rib also features a two
gold bead sighting system for alignment prior to shooting.
The trunnions (on which the barrels pivot) are mounted high, close to the
centerline of the barrel, and are integral with the receiver.
In addition to trunnions, a massive square lug at the bottom rear of the
monobloc locks into the thick bottom wall of the receiver to provide extra
security for the barrel-to-frame lock-up.
Projecting from the rear end of the barrel assembly, one on either side, are two
heavy, integral heat-treated lugs which are engaged by the locking bolt as it
slides forward when the gun is closed. The locking bolt is, in effect, a wedge, due
to the angle of the locking faces. These faces have more than adequate area and
are hardened and precision-ground to resist wear.
7
The automatic ejector assembles to the monobloc simply, without retaining pins
or screws. The ejector sear is pivoted on an integral stud in the forend iron and
provides positive ejection to throw the empty fired shell casing from the chamber
when the action is opened. Note that it does not eject unfired live cartridges, but
merely extracts them partially from the chamber for manual removal (see “To
Unload”, p. 16.)
THE STOCKS
The buttstock and forearm are made from first quality straight grain American
walnut, fully seasoned, with deep-cut checkering of 18 lines to the inch. The
specially shaped buttstock is fully adjustable for length of pull, comb height,
cast-off, and cast-on. The forend is of wide “beavertail” target configuration. All
wood surfaces are sealed with a satin weather-resistant finish.
Provision is made in the buttstock for the through-bolt system of attachment
which is strong and simple. The rear ends of the tangs interlock with the wood
and the forward end of the stock is tenoned into recesses in the receiver to
provide maximum strength and resistance to splitting or loosening.
The RECEIVER securely
locks the barrel into a low,
direct line with the hands
to minimize felt recoil and
maximize pointability.
8
NOMENCLATURE - RUGER TRAP MODEL SHOTGUN
The BUTTSTOCK is held on the gun
by a long through-bolt, which is
accessible only after the recoil pad
base plate on the end of the buttstock
is removed. It is adjustable for length
of pull from 13 1/2” - 15 1/2”.
The TOP LEVER and its massive pivot are
one integral component directly engaged
with the locking bolt on both opening and
closing motions.
The PISTOL GRIP is finely cut-
checkered and is of special
target style and contour.
The MONOBLOC securely
locks the barrel/rib assembly
into the receiver.
The TRIGGER is set at the
factory at a 3 - 4lb. trigger pull.
This can be adjusted to some
degree. (See pp. 29 - 31)
The TRIGGER GUARD
protects the trigger from
inadvertent contacts
which could cause the
gun to discharge.
The COMB of the stock is
adjustable for height, cast-off,
and cast-on.
The BUTTPAD is screw-
adjustable for “cant”.
The VENT RIB can be
adjusted for height and is
free to float as the barrel
expands.
The special low mounted “controlled
pattern” trap BARREL is hammer
forged stainless steel, back-bored,
with screw-in chokes. (Not seen in
this view)
The finely checkered
beavertail FOREND is
designed to afford a
comfortable grip for the
pointing hand.
Figure 1.
9
OTHER FEATURES
The RUGER®TRAP MODEL shotgun has its receiver, the trigger, forend
iron, and barrel made of stainless steel with an attractive brushed finish. The
trigger guard, top lever, monobloc, and barrel components are of heat-treated
chrome-molybdenum steel, polished overall and blued.
The top lever and its massive pivot are one integral component directly engaged
with the locking bolt both on opening and closing motions. The lever and the
locking bolt are driven to the closed position by the top lever spring which,
through its strut, retains the top lever in the gun. The Ruger shotgun has been
engineered to minimize the force required for barrel opening and cocking
through a patented “easy opening” system.
AMMUNITION
The RUGER®TRAP MODEL Shotguns have 2 3/4” chambers and may be
used with all standard commercially manufactured 12 gauge 2 3/4” shells. Do not
attempt to use 3” or 3 1/2” shells, as they will not fit correctly into the chamber
and could create excessive pressure if fired. Best results are usually obtained by
using factory ammunition specifically designed as “trap loads” for this specialized
form of clay target shooting. This gun has been tested with special proof test
ammunition which conforms to U.S. industry practice. It is intended for use only
with standard ammunition of the proper gauge, loaded to U.S. Industry
standards. Use of incorrect ammunition can destroy any gun and result in
serious injury to the shooter or bystanders, (See “Ammunition Warning” and
“Ammunition Notice,” p. 10).
Shotgun cartridges are often called “shotgun shells” or “shotshells”, and these
terms will be used interchangeably throughout this manual.
STEEL SHOT
All steel shot loads loaded to current U.S. industry specifications can be used in
all currently manufactured Ruger shotguns equipped with screw-in chokes.
Steel shot generally patterns tighter than conventional lead shot loads. Modified
choke tubes generally deliver “full choke” patterns when used with steel shot.
We do not recommend any of our shotguns for use with reloads, steel shot or
otherwise, as we have no control over their components or loading procedures
used (See “Ammunition Warning” and “Ammunition Notice,” p. 10).
Death, serious injury, and damage can
result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect
cartridge components. Always wear
shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
10
WARNING –AMMUNITION
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE
OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR
AS A RESULT OF, THE USE IN ANY RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY, OR
NON-STANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND-LOADED
(RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN
THOSE FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to lead
and other substances known to the state of
California to cause birth defects,
reproductive harm, and other serious
physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at
all times. Wash hands thoroughly after
exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD
WARNING –LEAD EXPOSURE
11
ASSEMBLING THE SHOTGUN
The RUGER®TRAP MODEL Shotgun is shipped partially disassembled.
To assemble, proceed as follows:
1. After unwrapping the barrel/forearm assembly and receiver/stock assembly,
wipe excess rust preventative oil from the monobloc and inside surfaces of the
receiver. Swab the bore with a clean cloth patch on a cleaning rod to remove
any excess oil.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO JOIN THE BARREL ASSEMBLY TO RECEIVER WITH
THE FOREND ATTACHED!
2. To Remove Forearm From Barrel Assembly (See Figure 2):
a. Unlatch forearm by pulling down on latch lever.
b. Carefully pull down on tip of forearm until slight resistance is felt -
APPLICATION OF EXCESSIVE FORCE AT THIS POINT CAN RESULT IN
BREAKAGE.
c. While holding forearm tip away from the barrel, carefully pull forearm
toward the muzzle and remove forearm from the barrel.
Figure 2
3. To Attach the Barrel Assembly to
the Receiver:
Hold the stock by the pistol grip in
one hand as shown in Figure 3.
Make sure the top lever is opened
to the right in order to accept the
barrel assembly. Hold the barrel
assembly (without
the forend) in
the other hand and engage the
integral trunnions in the receiver
with the corresponding recesses at
the front end of the monobloc. Be
sure the small lug (indicated by
the arrow in “A” in Figure 3) on the outer surfaces of the ejector engages its
corresponding slot inside the front end of the receiver BEFORE CLOSING
THE GUN! The foregoing caution must be followed or the receiver will be
damaged by the ejector as the gun is closed.
Figure 3
2
1
3
CAUTION
"A"
12
4. Swing the muzzle end of the barrel upward, pivoting the rear end of the
monobloc downward to seat in the receiver as shown in Figure 4. The barrel
assembly is seated and locked into the receiver when the top lever snaps to its
centered position.
5. Push the rear end of the forend iron back over the ends of the ejector as
shown in Figure 5. Then carefully swing the front end of the forearm upward
until the forend latch lever catches the forend latch hook on the underside of
the lower barrel, and the forend assembly snaps into its locked position flush
with the stock.
Figure 4
Figure 5
13
INSTALLATION OF SCREW-IN CHOKE INSERTS
Make sure the shotgun is unloaded! Either open the action or dismount the
barrel completely from the action assembly. Lightly coat the threads of both the
barrel and the desired choke insert with good quality gun oil. Carefully start the
choke insert into the barrel threads by hand, taking care that the choke insert is
not cross-threaded. Using the choke wrench (supplied), carefully hand-tighten
the choke insert into the barrel until it is tightly secured in the barrel, so that
the choke insert is fully bottomed into its recess in the barrel. Take note which
choke you are inserting into the barrel. The trap choke inserts are stamped
either “FULL” or “MODIFIED”. Remove the choke wrench from the barrel after
tightening.
CHOKE WRENCH
CHOKE INSERT
("TUBE")
34"
"CONTROLLED PATTERN"
BARREL
NOTE: Stainless Steel trap choke inserts may protrude slightly from muzzle
when fully seated. This is normal and helps protect the muzzle of the barrel
from damage.
To minimize the possibility of damage to the screw-in choke inserts and the
barrel threads, it is recommended that a choke insert be kept correctly tightened
into the barrel at all times, including storage and cleaning. Cleaning the barrel
without the choke insert in place can push dirt and other fouling into the barrel
threads, which will interfere with proper installation of the choke insert.
Be sure you only use the correct choke insert (tube). The screw-in choke inserts
for the newer Ruger “easy open” shotguns, including the Ruger Trap Model
shotgun, are stainless steel and stamped on the side either “FULL” or
“MODIFIED”. They are not interchangeable with the shorter, blued steel choke
tubes of older Ruger shotguns which have identification slots on their muzzle
end. A general rule of thumb is that if the choke tube screws in significantly
below flush with the muzzle, or if the choke sticks more than slightly out of the
muzzle when completely tightened, you are using the wrong choke tube!
Steel Shot — Steel shot loads manufactured to U.S. Industry Standards can be
used with Ruger Screw-in choke inserts with no special precautions other than
those listed above. (See “Ammunition” and “Steel Shot” instructions and
warnings, pp. 9 - 10).
14
Do not peer directly into the shotgun muzzle!
This is dangerous and unnecessary. Do not
change choke insert in a loaded shotgun. Never
fire the shotgun if a screw-in choke insert is not
fully and tightly bottomed into the barrel
threads, or if the insert is improperly installed
or “cross-threaded”, or if the threads of either
the barrel or the choke insert are damaged.
Under these conditions, the barrel will be
damaged and the screw-in choke insert can be
propelled out of the muzzle with great velocity
when the gun is fired, with resultant risks of
property damage or injury to the shooter or
bystanders. Do not attempt to alter or modify
existing fixed choke Ruger shotgun barrels for
screw-in choke inserts. This can seriously
weaken the barrel and may be dangerous. See
“Alteration Warning” elsewhere in instruction
manual.
DO NOT PEER INTO MUZZLES
OR CHANGE TUBES ON A
LOADED SHOTGUN
WARNING –SCREW-IN CHOKES
OPERATION OF THE SHOTGUN
Always check to be sure the gun is unloaded before handling, “dry-firing”, takedown, cleaning, or storage.
Every RUGER®TRAP MODEL Shotgun is inspected before shipment to
ensure that it conforms to our standards of finish and performance. WE ASSUME
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ITS
INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. No mechanism can prevent
injury caused by careless or thoughtless handling of a loaded firearm. (See “The
Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling”, pp. 39 - 42)
Never fire the shotgun without a correct screw-in choke insert in place. Doing so
will cause an erratic shot pattern and may irreversibly damage the choke insert
threads in the barrel, making correct installation of the screw-in choke inserts
impossible without expensive re-barreling. Do not attempt to use screw-in choke
tubes of any other make or manufacture in Ruger shotguns. They will not function
properly.
Loading...