Silver went to the host Soviet Union's Rustam Yambulatov, that nation's first medal in the event since 1964.

This was the 13th appearance of the men's ISSF Olympic trap event.

There was also a men's team trap event held four times from 1908 to 1924.

[2][3] Only one of the top 10 shooters from the 1976 Games returned: fourth-place finisher Burckhardt Hoppe of East Germany.

The reigning champion, Donald Haldeman of the United States, was kept out by the American-led boycott.

Great Britain missed the event for the first time; Italy was the competing nation with the most appearances (9), with four nations (Great Britain, Canada, France, and Sweden) with more appearances not competing.