The trap competition at the 1972 Summer Olympics was an open-gender event held from 27 to 29 August 1972 at Schießanlage.

Two-time (1970 and 1971) reigning World Champion Michel Carrega of France was favored in the event; 1969 World Champion (and 1964 Olympic gold medalist) Ennio Mattarelli was not on the Italian squad, with Angelo Scalzone and Silvano Basagni the pair from Italy.

[1] Brazil, Kenya, Swaziland, and Syria each made their debut in the event.

Great Britain made its 11th appearance, the only nation to have competed at each edition of the event to that point.

Angelo Scalzone broke the world record, hitting 199 of 200 targets.