Trapshooting Equipment

High-quality trapshooting equipment can help optimize a competitive shooter's performance
By Margaret Haerens Trap shooting equipment—guns, machines and clay targets—are used in trap shooting. Trap shooting is one of a group of three competitive shooting sports in which shooters use shotguns to shoot at clay targets, sometimes called clay pigeons. The three types of competitive shooting sports include trap shooting, skeet shooting and sporting clays.

In all of these sports, trap shooting machines launch a clay pigeon into the air at the shooter’s command. Then the shooter takes a shot at the target from a specified distance. The more targets the shooter hits, the higher their score.  

Clay target shooting sports are growing in popularity, mainly due to the fact that people of all ages, incomes and abilities can compete. Versions of the sport are now events at the Olympic Games, increasing their popularity even more. If you are planning to open a target range or a retail store to sell trap shooting equipment, you will need to offer high-performance guns and trap shooting machines. 

You will need to: 

1. Stock a variety of trap shooting equipment to appeal to all skill and experience levels
2. Be prepared to offer instruction on the latest equipment and technology
3. Match shooters with trap shooting guns that fit their competition level and body types

Offer a good selection of trap shooting equipment, especially guns, for your customers

There is no designated type of gun to use in trap shooting, so some shooters modify guns for trap shooting. Others use guns made just for trap shooting (usually a 12-gauge, single barrel shotgun). The types of guns your customers decide to use will be dependant on their personal skill levels and how much challenge your customers want.
Try:  Browning manufactures the BT-99 Grade III gun, particularly for trap shooting. One of the top gun manufacturers, Beretta USA, has a line of guns particularly for trap shooting competitions. Another top firearm manufacturer, Krieghoff International Inc., has a top-rated line of competitive shotguns designed for trap and skeet shooting.

Choose trap shooting machines that fits your clients' needs

There are various trap shooting machines. Some have more trap shooting capacity while others are different in the way they release targets. Ascertain which type is the best for your business, or stock several kinds to offer your customers.
Try:  Atlas Traps Company offers a wide range of trap shooting machines and trap shooting gear for many specifications. BEOMAT is a top manufacturer of trap shooting machines. They carry machines for American and Nordic trap, Olympic trap shooting, international and American skeet shooting, and a wobble trap. PAT-TRAP designs top-rated singles and doubles trap and skeet shooting machines.

Provide a variety of other trap shooting equipment

Shooters will also be looking for high-quality and interesting trap shooting patches, vests, bags, clay targets and blinders. Be sure to offer a selection that will appeal to them.
Try:  Cabela's has a wide selection of various types of shooting vests that will appeal to all preferences. They also stock trap shooting bags, pouches and other trap and skeet shooting equipment. Competitive shooters earn trap shooting patches as they compete and reach certain milestones. If you want to create customized trapshooting patches for your business or competitive shooting team, Stadri Emblems will supply embroidered emblems per your specifications. Remington Arms Company provides a high-quality clay target for purchase. White Flyer Targets is one of the top-rated manufacturers of clay targets for all kinds of trap and skeet shooting.

• A shooter's first responsibility is firearm safety. If your customers do not have any training with firearms and how to use them safely, offer classes in the basics of using trap shooting equipment or refer them to a responsible instructor or training center. Providing classes yourself will build a personal relationship with potential customers and help relay information on the sport of trapshooting.
• Cultivate relationships with the local competitive shooting community. Consider sponsoring a shooting tournament in your neighborhood. The connections you make will be important to growing your business in the long term.