About Those Ammo Tins...
 

How the heck do ya open the darned things?

I was just organizing a few things and came across a few tins that I purchased some time ago at a gun show.

I don't think the dealer gave me an opener...unless it's inside one of the tins.

The devil is in the (small) details, huh?

Glad you guys/gals are here!

TIA

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Do you remember what a can of Spam looked like before the pull tab ?

Most of the type pf ammo cans your speaking of need a KEY or have a small wire or cable embedded into the solder seal.

There should be either a tab to attach the key onto on the outside of the can or in the case of the pull wire or cable a small ring to pull.

BTW a pic of this can would help to be sure this is the kind you're talking about.

The markings on the can would also be helpful.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

I used one of the can openers in the local gun shop when I bought mine. It was a pain in the rump to open. As a matter of fact you have just reminded me to grab an opener on ebay tonight.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Thanks StrawMan,
I remember those cans.
I'll go take another look...but is there supposed to be a key on the bottom or somewhere?
Will take another look-see if there is a rip-band type strip on the can.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

What exactly do they call that opener on eBay?

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

There should be an opener but depending on how long the ammo has been around it might have been lost.

I'm not familiar with the opener on eBay.

They are not too firearms / related friendly from what I remember.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

There could be differences, but I remember the tin of 9mm that I got came with the opener loose in the cardboard box it came in. To the best of my recollection, it didn't look like a Spam can opener - more like a heavy-duty wrench-sized version of the can opener blade on a Swiss Army knife.

Also, I've seen the tins of 7.62 x 54R advertised on some sites, saying that you only get the opener if you order a full case, which is a crate of two 440 rd. tins. No opener if you only order half a case, or one tin.

I'd look for mine and try to describe it, but I'd have to dig for it and probably wake up the old lady while doing it, so.... Sorry!

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Yeah, StrawMan...that appears to be an understatement.
I just took another look and the top appears to be crimped on...pretty tight.
Looks like this one is gonna take an opener of some type.
I just don't see how an opener could navigate around the tight radius corners.

Will a bayonet work, ya suppose?..Maybe one of my old John Waynes?

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

pair of needle nose pliers? grab the strip and just keep turing the pliers wrapping the strip around them as you go.

If you're feeling lucky I suppose you could always dremel it.... or steam it open

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Hmmm... I'd have to say we're "prepared"...just not what you'd call "Ready"
At least Barney could get to his bullet.
I can't get to "those" bullets though
BTW they're the 7.62x39...I think it said 700 rds on the one tin.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

I think that's what I have, though mine might be a 640 round tin.

If you can't find a real opener, you could probably get it done with an opener blade on a Swiss Army knife, or maybe even a P-38....

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Here is a link to a picture. Click on it to enlarge. The knife edge goes on inside of lip and cuts it open the other hook side goes on outside of can and you rock it back and forth moving forward as you go.

http://www.buymilsurp.com/can-opener...ans-p-914.html

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

While you can use the official "can opener" tool that sometimes come with these spam cans, you can also just use a cold chisel & a hammer. Cut along the seam, remove lid. No fuss, no muss.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Use ah hatchet:4_1_72:
I'm kidding of course--I've never heard of this comeing up and I'm glad you did. It will be something I look at in the shop I frequent.

Best to everyone this AM

E_A

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

all mine have come with an opener similar to the one pictured in the link above...

But have you thought about one of these?-- im not kidding...

http://www.focuspg.com/itm_img/709-lg.jpg

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

I don't think a regular can opener would work.

I opened up one of these 7.62x39 tins 2 days ago with the ammo can knife that comes with the can. I think the lip would be a bit too high in order to use a regular can opener but you could give it a try.

The opener should have come free floating in the box (at least min did.) Mine was the Russian Wolf SKS can.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

A regular can opener will not work; I tried out of curiosity the other day. The doodad they send with the can works pretty well once you get into the swing of using and yes, its a pain around the corners. It does a good job of leaving behind a nice clean edge in the pan but the lid is dangerous stuff.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

P-38 on 'roids.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

FWIW, I kept my pans as I figure they will make good pans to soak parts in mineral spirits or to mix paint or whatever. My wife might try to make planter boxes out of some.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

You need one of these...........but I suppose any heavy-duty can opener would work.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1353/...0a1972.jpg?v=0

I got mine with (2) cans of ammo from AIM-Surplus. :wink:

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

My opener came with a similar case of ammo. My case was way cooler though. It had a hinged lid with a screw-locked hasp and a wooden carry handle on each end. 880rds Bulgarian 7.65X54r via classicarms.us weighing in around 60# making those handles a real back-saver. I kept the case but don't have a plan for it yet. I may make it my air mattress carrier as it should protect against cuts. It so heavy duty though that I want a better use for it.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

yeah... figures... it was worth a shot :biggrin:- I'd have tried it too if I needed to open a can - don't wanna pop any right now.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

All I could wonder while laboring with the opener was whether I'd be quicker or more error prone with rounds whizzing over my head. Those thoughts were enough to convince me to open them all and place the rounds in regular ole ammo boxes.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

*snicker*


Yeah... that would need to be factored in for sure:biggrin:


I've got enough loose to load, on stripper clips and loaded mags for an initial assault:ok:


:RockOn:

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Those ammo tins are for my Deep Deep storage ussage. To have incase they come and confiscate my normal stock

Like i keep 10k rounds on the shelf easily accessable ....but the ammo tins MIGHT be sealed in a plastic pipe sunk in the pond, or septic tank...etc...with a firearm that will use them

it seems like i keep loseing all kinds of stuff like this lately i hate it when i lose stuff:biggrin:

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

The Yugo ammo cases were nicely packaged. A zinc plated (soft) steel sheet metal box inside a wood crate. There is a wooden "T-handle" attached to a piece of wire sticking out of the metal box - pull it & the wire zips right through the sheet metal.

I guess you could always use an oxy-acetylene cutting torch. That might get a bit exciting, though.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Well, I can speak from experience now.

Had some reservations about it, but used a hammer and chisel to create a slit in the top large enough in one side to get a grip on the soft metal top with long slip pliers. (Wear ear protection in case a round goes off)

Then used leverage with a large screwdriver across the top to attempt to pry and roll the soft metal top off. Metal tore instead of rolling off evenly.

Looked like a monkey trying to... uhhh...ride a football.

Screwdriver slipped and I did a pretty good "number" on my fingers. That metal IS soft, but it does make sharp edges.

Purple Heart already and I ain't even seen battle yet.(and hope not to)

You guys be vewwwy careful.

I got in a little too much of a hurry and screwed up. Kind of a freak accident really. I'm normally more careful.

I did, however, finally win the battle.
That's my story,and I'm stickin' to it

WEAR GLOVES !

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

LOL, I would have thought of that well ahead of ear protection.

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

Shirly, you jest...
So ya think I was serious about that, huh?
DUH !


Oh, that should be "surely"...before you correct me.
Just trying to help

Re: About Those Ammo Tins...
 

I know who ShirleyUGeste is :) :) :) Apparently you know me as the grammar nazi. You know me well. ;)