Ruger Trap Instructions Manual

							A shell can be “discharged” before it is chambered
if its primer receives a sharp blow. If a shell hangs
up, jams, or binds when being chambered, do not
attempt to force it into the chamber by pushing or
striking it, or by slamming the action shut.Any
jam or feeding problem is a signal to immediately
stop  using the gun until it can be determined
what is wrong. Most failures of a shell to fire or to
chamber are caused by improper maintenance,
improper gun handling, or defective ammunition.
Whatever the cause, shell jams can result in the
potentially dangerous situation of a shell
discharging before it is chambered. If this occurs,
the shell case will rupture and its fragments will
fly out of the gun with sufficient force to cause
injury. Always wear shooting glasses and hearing
protectors! Keep face away from chamber!
STRIKING PRIMER
CAN BURST SHELL
WARNING – MALFUNCTIONS
Never clean, lubricate,
disassemble or work on a
firearm while it is loaded.
UNLOAD BEFORE
DISASSEMBLY OR
CLEANING
DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
WARNING – DISASSEMBLY
1
2
3
Although the shotgun can be disassembled, reassembled, and cleaned in
almost any surrounding, it is preferrable to carry out these procedures on a
workbench or table which has a covered top. A piece of shallow nap rug or an
old blanket is an ideal covering. Such a covering keeps the shotgun from
slipping and being scratched.
To take down the Ruger Trap Model Shotgun, proceed as follows:
1.CHECK THE CHAMBER TO BE SURE THAT THE GUN IS UNLOADED.
2. Pull out the forend latch lever and separate the forend assembly from the
barrels as in Step 2, page 11  (See Figure 2, p. 11).
22  
						

							23
3. Push the top lever all the way to the right and open the gun, pivoting the
muzzle end of the barrel downward and lifting the barrel assembly out of the
receiver as the integral trunnions are disengaged from their corresponding
recesses at the front end of the monobloc.
This completes the takedown required for all normal cleaning and maintenance
purposes. Further disassembly of component parts should only be undertaken by
persons qualified in shotgun repair and is not recommended.
CAUTION: THE RUGER TRAP MODEL SHOTGUN SHOULD NOT
BE FURTHER DISASSEMBLED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
OR CLEANING BY PERSONS UNQUALIFIED IN SHOTGUN
REPAIR. IMPROPER FUNCTIONING AND DAMAGE TO THE
GUN MAY RESULT.
IF THE BUTT STOCK IS REMOVED FROM THE FIREARM, UPON
REASSEMBLY, IT MUST BE RETORQUED TO A MAXIMUM OF 4 FT/LBS.
EXCESSIVE TIGHTENING OF THE STOCK BOLT (PART S-37), MAY
RESULT IN THE STOCK CRACKING.
CARE AND CLEANING
WARNING: BEFORE CLEANING, BE CERTAIN THAT THE
CHAMBER OF THE SHOTGUN CONTAINS NO SHELL
REASSEMBLY
See “Assembling the Shotgun”, pp. 11 - 12. 
ALWAYS CHECK TO BE SURE THE GUN IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED
BEFORE CLEANING.
1. Take down the gun. (See Disassembly Procedure, p. 22 - 23)
2. Using a proper cleaning rod, run a solvent-wetted patch through the bore and
chamber several times. Then run dry patches through the bore and chamber
to remove all traces of residue.
3. If the bore or chamber is fouled to the extent that the above patch-cleaning
procedure will not remove the lead or plastic residue, then scrub the bore, full
length, with a solvent-wetted brass or nylon bristle brush. When the residue
has been scrubbed loose, clean as described in Step 2, above.
4. The polished surfaces of the monobloc, ejector, and inside surfaces of the
receiver where the monobloc rests should be coated with a very light film of
lubricating oil.
5. Reassemble the gun, and wipe exterior metal surfaces with a sparingly oiled
cloth. Accumulation of oil tends to attract dirt which can interfere with the
safe and reliable function of the gun. Swab the bore with an oily patch before
storing the gun. Do not apply excess oil. 
						

							24
WARNING – LUBRICATION
OIL
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE – At regular intervals, or whenever the gun has been
exposed to sand, dust, extreme humidity, condensation, rainwater, snow, or other
adverse conditions, take down and clean and oil your shotgun as outlined above.
Lubricate contact area of forend iron and receiver with stainless steel lubricant.
Proper periodic maintenance is essential to the reliable functioning of any
firearm.
STORAGE
GUNS SHOULD NOT BE STORED LOADED!
USE THE LOCKING DEVICE SUPPLIED WITH THE SHOTGUN FOR STORAGE.
(SEEPAGE3)
Do notstore a shotgun in a leather case. Leather, and many cloth cases, attract
moisture even though they may appear to be perfectly dry.
TO RENDER THE SHOTGUN INOPERATIVE
FOR SAFE STORAGE
Open the action and check the chamber to be sure the shotgun is completely
unloaded!With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, close the barrel assembly
fully. Turn the shotgun over and swing the forend latch open. Carefully remove
the forend from the barrel assembly. Next, turn the shotgun over and press the
barrel opening lever fully to the right. Swing the barrel assembly downward and
then carefully remove it from the receiver. Assemble the forend to the barrel
assembly.
Store the shotgun stock-receiver assembly and the barrel-forend assembly in
different locations. When disassembled in this manner, the shotgun is
inoperable. It is impossible to fire the shotgun until the barrel assembly has been
correctly reattached to the receiver assembly.
Firing a shotgun with oil, grease, or any other
material even partially obstructing the bore may result
in damage to the shotgun and serious injury to the
shooter and those nearby. Do not spray or apply
lubricants directly on shot shells. If the shot shell’s
powder charge is affected by the lubricant, it may not
be ignited, but the primer firing may push shot or
wads into the bore where they may be lodged. Firing a
subsequent shot into the obstructed bore may damage
the gun and cause serious injury or death to the
shooter and those nearby. Use lubricants properly. You
are responsible for the proper care and maintenance of
your firearms.
IMPROPER LUBRICATION
DESTROYS GUNS 
						

							To reassemble the shotgun for firing, carefully remove the forend from the barrel
assembly. Carefully replace the barrel assembly into the receiver and carefully
swing the barrel shut. Now replace the forend onto the barrel assembly. Press
the barrel opening lever fully to the right, and break the shotgun open. The
shotgun is now reassembled and can be loaded and fired normally.
While the shotgun is less likely to be used by unauthorized persons when
disassembled in the above manner, it is always safest to store a firearm with
the supplied locking device correctly installed, or to store the firearm in a gun
safe or other secure location, away from children and unauthorized adults.
Guns should always be stored securely, unloaded
and separate from their
ammunition.
Never place or store any firearm in
such a manner that it may be
dislodged. Firearms should always be
stored securely and unloaded, away
from children and careless adults. Use
the locking device originally supplied
with this firearm for storage.
The use of a locking device or safety
lock is only one aspect of responsible
firearms storage. For increased safety,
firearms should be stored unloaded and
locked in a location that is both
separate from their ammunition and
inaccessible to children and any other
unauthorized person.
STORE SECURELY & UNLOADED
WARNING – STORAGE
25 
						

							Loosen Screws
To Move Pattern Lower,
Raise the Rib
(turn gear wheel clockwise)
SPECIAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR
RUGER TRAP MODEL SHOTGUN
The RUGER®TRAP MODEL SHOTGUNembodies many specialized
adjustments demanded by participants in the demanding sport of clay target trap
shooting. These adjustments are not found on other Ruger shotguns intended for
hunting, sporting clays, and other field shooting activities. DO NOT MAKE ANY
ADJUSTMENTS ON A LOADED GUN!
RIB ADJUSTMENT
To adjust the height of the rib,open the action, unload the shotgun,and loosen
the Torx®clamp screw on the front barrel band and the two clamp screws on the
middle band. Turn the gear wheel using the Torx®key wrench – clockwiseto
raisethe rib and counter-clockwiseto lowerthe rib. As the rib is raised, the shot
pattern will lower; as the rib is lowered, the pattern impacts higher. After each
adjustment, be sure to securely tighten the clamp screws before firing.Check
pattern height again and readjust if necessary, following the above steps. The rib
is adjustable for up to 3/8” of height change, which will accomodate most shot
pattern placement preferences.
26 
						

							1
2
3
Retighten Clamp Screw
SUGGESTED SIGHT PICTURE
FOR TRAPSHOOTING
The rear bead is aligned with the bottom of
the front bead, and the target is positioned
above the front bead.
Lead in front of the target (Not shown here)
is determined by the speed and angle of the
target, and the individual shooter’s method
of shooting..
To Move Pattern Up
Lower the Rib
(turn gear wheel counter-clockwise)
STOCK ADJUSTMENT
After the pattern location is established by adjusting the rib height, the stock can
be adjusted to suit the individual.
A. Loosen the Allen clamp screw on the right side of the stock near the buttpad.
For LENGTH OF PULL
adjustment, turn the buttpad clockwise to shorten
the length of pull, or counter-clockwise to lengthen the length of pull. The
length of pull is adjustable from 13 1/2” to 15 1/2”. After the length is
established, secur
elytighten the clamp screw.
1
2
3
Retighten Clamp Screw
To LengthenStock,
Turn Buttpad CounterclockwiseTo ShortenStock,
Turn Buttpad Clockwise
27 
						

							C. To adjust the comb for CAST OFFor CAST ON, loosen the two Allen screws
on the right side of the comb and remove the comb from the buttstock.
Loosen the screw located inside the top
of each of the posts. If cast offis
desired, move each of the posts to the right
approximately the same amount
and retighten the screws. To get cast on
, move the posts to the left. Re-install
the comb and check your sight picture. Readjust if necessary until all
adjustments put the pattern at the preferred location for the individual
shooter. Then tighten all adjustment screws secur
ely.
To Raiseor Lowerthe Heightof the Buttstock
B. To adjust the COMB HEIGHT, loosen the two Allen clamp screws on the
right side of comb of the stock. Raise or lower the comb to the desired height
and secur
elytighten the clamp screws.
Loosen Screws
1
2
3
Retighten Clamp Screws
Loosen Screws
1
2
3
Retighten Screws
Loosen Screws
3
Retighten Screws
1
2
For Cast-Off,
Move Screws To RightFor Cast-On,
Move Screws To Left
28 
						

							TARGET TRIGGER
SPECIAL SAFETY NOTE
The specialized RUGER®TRAP MODELShotgun you have selected is
specifically designed for the precision target sport of competitive trap shooting at
clay targets. As such, it demands that you take extra safety precautions.
The RUGER
®TRAP MODELShotgun is a target firearm designed to have
a light and crisp target trigger pull with a minimum of take-up (“slack”) and
overtravel. Its special target trigger is externally adjustable for weight of pull, and
has been set at the factory to have an approximately 3.5 pound trigger pull.
Overtravel and sear engagement have been factory set for correct trigger
functioning and should notbe further adjusted.
WARNING – TARGET TRIGGER
ADJUSTING THE TRIGGER WEIGHT OF PULL
SHOOTERS MAKING ANY ADJUSTMENTS OR CHANGES TO THE FACTORY
SETTINGS, WHEN THEY CHOSE TO MAKE SUCH ADJUSTMENTS, MUST TAKE
FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAKING THE ADDITIONAL SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED WHEN HANDLING A TARGET FIREARM WITH A
LIGHTER TARGET TRIGGER PULL.
The only adjustment you can safely make to this target trigger involves its
weight of pull. Before making any such adjustment, please read and understand
this entire procedure! If you are unclear as to how to proceed with any step,
make no further adjustments and immediately contact the Ruger Product
Service Department, (603) 865-2442, for instructions. Do not attempt to use this
shotgun or any firearm if you are uncertain as to its safe operating condition.
1. Open the action and check to be sure the shotgun is unloaded! Keep the
muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
2. Close the shotgun. On the top of the target trigger, just above where the
finger presses during firing, is a hole with a small screw in it. This is the
weight of pull adjustment screw.
29
This precision target trigger has been
carefully adjusted at the factory for safe and
proper functioning. Do not alter the factory
overtravel or sear engagement settings! You
can create an unsafe condition and the
shotgun can fire unexpectedly. Do not
attempt to turn the weight of pull
adjustment screw past its lower limit or
otherwise attempt to further decrease the
trigger pull. You may create an unsafe
condition!
DO NOT ALTER OVERTRAVEL
OR SEAR ENGAGEMENT 
						

							3. The factory-supplied screwdriver should be used when adjusting this screw,
which is detented so that it will “click” when turned. This helps prevent
inadvertent movement of the screw.
4. Turning this weight of pull adjustment screw clockwise
will increasethe
weight of trigger pull necessary to fire the shotgun. Turning the same screw
counter
clockwisewill decreasethe weight of trigger pull necessary to fire
the shotgun. (See Illustration below)
5. The weight of trigger pull adjustment should be made in small steps. Turn
the adjustment screw only 3 or 4 “clicks” at a time, and then check the
adjustment by dry-firing the unloaded shotgun from your normal shooting
stance before proceeding further. Once the weight of trigger pull suits your
needs and preferences within the limits of adjustment – stop!
6. Please note that the weight of pull adjustment screw has a definite lower
limit designed into it. If this screw has been turned counter clockwise to its
furthest limit and cannot be turned any further, the weight of trigger pull is
at its lowest intended adjustment. DO NOT A
TTEMPT TO FURTHER
DECREASE THE WEIGHT OF THE TRIGGER PULL BEYOND THIS POINT
BY ANY MEANS – YOU MAY CREATE A DANGEROUS CONDITION!
7. Once you have determined what weight of trigger pull is satisfactory for your
target shooting needs, you should perform the following test of your
adjustment: Open the shotgun to be certain the shotgun is unloaded, point it
in a safe direction, and vigorously snap the shotgun closed. The hammer
should remain cocked and the gun should be able to be dry-fired by a pull on
the trigger. Repeat this test 3 - 4 times. If the hammer does not remain
cocked, and you are unable to “dry fire” the shotgun, DO NOT LOAD OR
FIRE THE GUN. Contact the Newport Product Service Department at (603)
865-2442.
30 ADJUSTMENT OF
TARGET TRIGGER  
						

							31
During initial firing on a suitable clay target firing range after any trigger
adjustment, be extra observant to be sure the shotgun is operating correctly. If
you have any questions as to the gun’s safe operating condition, cease firing
immediately, unload the shotgun, and contact the Ruger Newport Product
Service Department.
Reassemble buttstock to the receiver, noting caution on page 23.
REGARDLESS OF THE TRIGGER PULL WEIGHT, KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF
THE TRIGGER, COMPLETELY OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD, UNLESS YOU
ARE IMMEDIATELY FIRING AT A SELECTED CLAY TARGET!
MAINTENANCE OF
STAINLESS STEEL COMPONENTS
Firearms and components made of stainless steel are relatively more resistant to
corrosion than those of blued steel. However, in the interest of proper operation
and long life of a stainless steel firearm, inspect it frequently and clean, lubricate
and apply an appropriate rust preventative.
Sometimes discoloration occurs from perspiration or from contact with some
types of gun cases. Rusting may occur as a result of the firearm being exposed to
moisture, salt air or chemicals.
Minor discoloration can usually be removed by rubbing the stainless steel area
with an abrasive ink eraser, crocus cloth, or a “metal polishing” compound. When
using any of these abrasives, proceed with care and use light pressure to achieve
a blending of “color” with those areas that are not discolored.
External surfaces most subject to rusting from handling, or from exposure to the
elements should be cleaned and wiped dry after use or after exposure to adverse
conditions. If the shotgun is to be stored, coat it with a light film of oil or
preservative. Where the shotgun is in continuing use, and the presence of oil or
grease would be objectionable, then the external surfaces can be coated (after
cleaning and drying) with a paste wax formulated for use on metals. Apply the
wax sparingly, allow time for it to dry hard, then buff lightly with a soft cloth.
When applying the wax, take care that it does not get into the mechanism or on
the functioning parts or in the bore.