Help..my Trap is throwing broken birds

[Carbon_15]

I just bought a new trap (one of the cheap-o Do-All portable ones) and I can't get it to throw right. Everything seems to be working right but the birds come out in pieces. I've adjusted the spring tension, the arm gap, everything, to no avail. Any tips??

 

[MitchSchaft]

Mine does that sometimes, too. It all depends on where you place the clay on the arm. Try moving it up and down the arm until it doesn't break them. That's how I fixed mine.

 

[Poodleshooter]

1. Make sure that it is TIGHT in the ground.
2. Tighten all bolts.
3. Play with the clay's position.
4. This is the biggest common problem: Loosen that spring! It should only be tight enough to take up the slack, and it should not stretch the spring at all.
I bought one of the WalMart ones for $10 back around Christmas. It's as good of a trap as my dad's Hoppes, and throws birds to about 50yds consistently. A great deal, and for only a few bucks more than a plastic hand trap.

 

[Carbon_15]

Thanks for all the help. After a good deal of adjusting, and almost a whole case of wasted clays, I figured out that the arm was griping the targets too tightly. Come to find out, there was a gauge included who knew

 

[SASS#23149]

WOW maybe I won't throw mine away after all!!....yet.
Mine breaks birds like crazy.I blamed it on the "tits" on the bottom plate 'cause it looked like the back of the bird was breaking off.
I"ll rig mine up to a spare tire,back off on the spring and try it again.I even called do-all on my dime and complained.too bad they didn't know the answer!!They shouldn't make it adjustable,I can't leave an adjustment nut or dial alone.
Mike

 

[blades67]

Come to find out, there was a gauge included who knew

Welcome to the world of "When all else fails, read the directions." :banghead:

 

[Chris Rhines]

One last thing you can do if you keep having problems: Thorw away any Remington clays you might have lying around, and switch to Lawrys.

- Chris