how do you open ammo tins?

[John E.]

Okay, just got in my first ever purchase of ammo-in-a-tin (7.62x25, 1200+ rounds) and found out that neither a can opener nor a Swiss Army Knife works well for opening it.

I wound up using tin snippers - not a pretty job of it.

Is there a good tool for this job?

 

[Mike2]

Actually there is, it looks like a MEGA can opener, most of my 7.62 cans came with one, its about six or seven inches long and looks like a weird can opener works ok but still its a pain in the but, once I open a case, I always remove the ammo not being used and vaccum pack it. I have used tin snips in the past but they are a major pain, now to open them I just drag out the rotozip with a metal cutoff wheel and WHAMMMMMO done in a flash.

 

[moooose102]

you know, that is an interesting question. i had never even given that a thought before. maybe look around mil surplus sites. they might have some special tool. or maybe the "C.M.P." or Weidners, old western scrounger, etc.

 

[Cannonball888]

A free can opener inside is a good excuse to purchase a case instead of a single tin

 

[FogRider]

I use an old 3/4" wood chisel that's not really good for anything else.

 

[SaxonPig]

The ammo tins that I have dealt with always had the little key spot welded on top. You simply use the key to unwind the metal seal.

Of course, after about 3 inches the seal breaks. So I resort to hammer and metal chisel. After chasing the tin around the garage floor for 20 minutes (it slides several feet with every impact), ripping open an additional 2 inches of the seal... along with three fingers... one thumb... and the fender on my wife's car after I flung the chisel in disgust... I get the ax.

After a dozen or so good whacks the tin is squashed down on one side really good. This doesn't help get it open but it is very satisfying. As I raise the ax for a truly mighty blow the head flies off and takes out the windshield on my truck.

At this point I usually give the tin a good kick. Of course, this does nothing to help get it open but it gives me a few moments to think about my next move as I hop around on one foot in agony.

I proceed to hoist the tin up and apply the edge to the spinning wheel of the bench grinder. But long before any serious progress is made in opening the tin, the metal gets hot from the friction. I'm so intent on the metal cutting process that I don't notice the heat building up until I burn my fingers and drop the 40 pound tin... on my remaining good foot.

Thoroughly disgusted now, I pick up the battered tin and hobble over to the trash can. Raising the uncooperative ammo tin over my head I smash it into the trash can as hard as I can.

This causes the seal to pop off and all 500 loose rounds spill out into the bottom of the trash can.

I spend the next 15 minutes scooping out the shells from the stinky trash can, cleaning the rotted garbage from them as I load them into plastic storage boxes. As I am placing the last cartridge in the box, I notice the head stamp.

I bought the wrong caliber.

 

[hso]

SaxonPig has the truth of it.

A tin of ammo should have come with the proportionally sized can opener.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Many ammo sellers only include the opener if you buy two tins or more.

 

[7.62X25mm]

I use an old 3/4" wood chisel that's not really good for anything else.

Hammers and ammo don't mix!

 

[FogRider]

Nope. That's why I don't beat on the rounds. In fact, I usually don't need a hammer. I get the ammo settled at one end, then starting from a corner on the other end I get a hole started. This occasionally take a couple light taps with a hammer, but once it's started the palm of my hand gets the rest. It acts a lot like a can opener. I've never once hit a round, never even scratched the paper.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

how do you open ammo tins?

With great difficulty, as the British discovered at Isandlwana.

A GI P38 will work, or a Swiss knife.

 

[rondog]

Special tools required.....

 

[John E.]

SaxonPig - I'm still laughing from your post!

A GI P38 will work, or a Swiss knife.

I broke the can opener attachment on my Swiss Army knife trying to open the tin. Surprised me!

hso, I think I'll be getting one of those openers.
{no I won't they are sold out}


I have a feeling this is a topic near and dear to many here.

 

[Just One Shot]

SaxonPig

Thank you, I needed a good laugh today!

 

[Wheeler44]

Go to Sears....Buy a pair of OFFSET aviation snips, don't bother with the three pack of non offset type av. snips...the compound action of the av. snips gives you all of the "strength" necessary and the offset keeps your hand away from the sharp metal...Cut the rim off of the can.....Bask in the warm glow of a job well done...

 

[ArmedBear]

Use a barbecue or a campfire. Cook them over an open flame until they pop open.

 

[sandcast69]

^ milsurp Jiffypop

 

[FogRider]

Y'know, that sounds a lot better than my chisel. Would the cheaper ones actually be better? It seems like for this it would help if the jaws could spread a little more than they ought to. If so I'll just stop in at Harbor Freight.

 

[Gottahaveone]

Who actually opens tins? I thought they were for stacking in the closet

 

[Cannonball888]

Jaws of Life

 

[goon]

Hammer, chisel, and being very careful about what I was doing was how I used to open tins for Mosins and AK ammo.

 

[blkbrd666]

Can Opener...

...works best if you sit the can on top of the opener after pulling pin.

 

[Mohawk]

If somebody is shooting at you you open it with your fingernails.

 

[kidrice]

SaxonPig,

bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. That was great. I sooooo needed that laugh today.

 

[Avenger]

SaxonPig, that made my day. Thanks!

I've got one of the opener tools, from AIM Surplus. I've used it to open probably 15 cases or so, and I have to say.....the Soviet Army would only have been a threat for 30 minutes, or however long it would have taken to fire off that first basic load of 7.62x39. After that, their tanks would have been busy running over ammo tins in a futile effort to resupply the infantry.