Opening the 'spam can'

[JonB]

So what is the best way to open those milsurp 'spam cans'? First thought was use a normal can opener, but I have a feeling that would be a bad idea - probably tear up the can opener.

I have 1 440rd can of x54R and 1 of 8mm that I am thinking of tearing into, trying the ammo out and repacking the remainder into .50cal cans.

Any proven methods for opening those w/o the original can opener?

 

[GigaBuist]

I did it once with Czech Silvertip. I used a hammer. It was not pretty.

 

[kungfuhippie]

The crate of two cans comes with an opener. If you don't have the opener, you could try tin snips. I won't make the jokes about being in your bomb shelter but forgetting a can opener.

 

[General Geoff]

Right-angle tin snips work wonders, and last longer than the can openers that come with the tins anyway.

 

[W.E.G.]

A dremel and a pair of large vise-grip pliers will rip a hole in it in a hurry.

You can use a narrow chisel to start the hole if you are afraid of the dremel sparks.

 

[cracked butt]

Chisel and hammer. Even the openers aren't really all that good for opening the cans.

 

[Arkie]

I opened a Czech Silvertip spam can with the pull strips and a pair of water pump pliers.

Just grab hold of the strip with the pliers and roll up the strip around the pliers.

That was after I tried a hammer and was thinking about the bayonet. LOL!!!

 

[wnycollector]

+1 for the chisel and hammer

 

[DMK]

Angle Grinder:

Cut the rim down all the way around the top. It's crimped over. Once you do that, the cover will pop off and you don't have the danger of cutting into the cartridges.

This only works with the "Spam Cans. If you have the square, softer type of container, tin snips will work better. However, those usually have a pull tab which sometimes works if you are careful.

 

[Novus Collectus]

Being a former sheet metal worker, I can say if you do not have the right kind of aviation snips (with offset jaws), then a hammer and screwdriver will work with some effort and skill.....but like I said, I am speaking as a former sheet metal worker and for me it is easy.

If you get some aviation snips (some people improperly call them tin snips), then make sure you get the offsets that look kinda like big lobster claws. They are much easier to cut a circle and around curves without having to remove the excess, curled up metal as much.

 

[Green Lantern]

I used a hacksaw on one of the aforementioned "soft" metal cans, a tin of 7.62x54. I also got what I guess is a true "spam can" of it, not sure how I'll break into it when the time comes....!

 

[Cacique500]

Hammer and screwdriver were the norm until I got a pair of "aviation snips" a.k.a. tin snips. Remember you don't have to remove the entire lid, just enough to pull the little suckers out one at a time (while not cutting your fingers to shreds).

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

I bought a 300 round can of the Yellow tip 7.62x54R a while back. Pretty much just used a flathead screwdriver to pry it open. Beware though...those edges are SHARP!

 

[trueblue1776]

One more chisel and hammer guy here, so far it's the cleanest way I know of.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

P-38?

 

[Geegolly]

My bayonet worked pretty well.

 

[TimboKhan]

Composition 4 should do the trick nicely. Seriously though, I use the opener that they came with, and it works pretty good. Nothing special, but it gets the job done.

 

[Zero Knives]

FNG here but I had to chime in on this one. I'm new to the surplus thing and came across my first spam can last Friday. I took a punch to the corner, opened the hole up with a screwdriver, cut strips with tin snips and pulled out the cute little blue boxes. After triple-checking to make sure all the ammo was out, I took the MAPP torch to the edges and now have a nifty little box for spare parts without the Ginsu edges...

Ram

 

[GotGlock]

I used my leatherman to make a line, then i grabbed it with pliers and twisted, it peeled back like one of those old tuna cans . I just opened half of the can.

 

[jpwilly]

+1 for the hammer and chisel...worked great from me.

 

[sharkhunter2018]

The last couple spam cans i got didnt come with a opener, but the guy at the shop had one laying around and he gave it to me. It works just fine. But, a screwdriver and hammer will work. I watched a friend bust open a spam can of 8mm, and it was amusing actually. I try not to damage the can though. It comes in handy for storage of smaller items like nuts n bolts.

 

[MisterPX]

If you don't have the opener, tin snips work very well.

 

[flynlr]

I remember buying my first cases of spam cans.
I ripped into the wooden cases and looked all over for the opener.

turns out it was screwed into the underside of the wooden crate lid.

I now have several of these but they are slow to use.

 

[PTK]

Use your Nagant revolver, of course! 7 rounds of 7.62 Nagant will open it right up...

Or not. Just use aviation snips.

 

[DMK]

P-38?

LOL! I love the P38. I've had one on my keychain for years. I use it as a screwdriver, box cutter, wire cutter/stripper, scraper, pretty much everything. However, it would be destroyed trying to open those Commie Spam Cans. I believe those things were designed to withstand a near miss by a Nuke and still stay intact.