Surplus Ammo Cans

[mudslinging79]

vice grips to get a grip, or tin snips when the tab breaks off. if you manage not to break the tab, stand on the can to get leverage...

 

[3pairs12]

torch?!

 

[goon]

The can openers often don't work. One other system is to use a hammer and chisel. If you lay the can on it's side and strike down against a block of wood or something you don't really stand any chance of hitting a primer.

 

[tallpaul]

If its a strip don't pull it... the opener looks like a big T and on the vertical section on the lower end is a slot- insert the metal strip through and "roll" it off just like the old tuna cans- that is why some of the ammo cans were indeed called "tuna cans" a plier or vice grip works if you roll it off instrad of pulling...

 

[Acera]

This is another reason I like American (and NATO) stuff.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

he showed me my ammo. It looks terrible! It looks like a homemade metal box, all welded, or probably brazed together

It's just a box. The ammo will be fine. The box's job is to keep the ammo dry. Who cares what it looks like as long as it works! I've opened ammo cans like you describe that were sealed in the 1940's and the ammo looks like it was made yesterday.

The pull tabs usually work, but you will need a pair of pliers or vice grips to grip the tab if you don't have the original "key". It may be pretty hard to get started. I would also suggest "rolling" the tab back (like on a canned ham) instead of just yanking, which can cause it to break.

 

[silverlance]

dremel.

 

[PAshooter]

Yeah - the newer Russian stuff that AIM sells comes in a can like the first one you pictured. The can opener that's been posted is used to open those - it comes packed in the wood crate with two cans of ammo - most sellers give you the opener if you order two or more cans. The older stuff (40's and 50's vintage) is packed in a soldered up zinc can like this one (also from AIM).

So long as the can in intact the ammo inside should be fine. Grab the tab with a pair of vice grips and rip away.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Are you buying this for a Mosin?

If so, does your Mosin have a bayonet?

Seriously, it works great.

 

[Ala Dan]

I'm with my friend Acera, as an old military P38 (opener) should do it~!

 

[wally]

I have the can openers can come with the cases, its faster and easier to use a hammer and cold chisel. You won't be touching the ammo at all as there is a layer of cardboard on top of the ammo boxes or paper wraps.

--wally.

 

[never_retreat]

You can never go wrong with a sawzall.

 

[Cacique500]

Use a flat tip screwdriver and a hammer and work your way along the edges. If you have a pair of tin snips, it'll go much quicker.

I haven't had much luck with the "standard issue" can openers that come with the tins...but the screwdriver, hammer, and tin snips do the job every time.

Be extremely careful when you open the lid - the edges will be wicked sharp and I've sliced myself I don't know how many times by being careless.

 

[mudslinging79]

what about an air hammer chisel combo?

 

[Seancass]

Tanerite. I'm assuming you have atleast one round outside of this can.

 

[preachnhunt]

If you have a dremel tool Lowe's sells small cutting discs. You may find something similar to fit a hand drill.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Air powered snips?
http://tinyurl.com/2o2dtp

 

[Funderb]

seriously, a hammer and a screwdriver is fine.
My key broke off when opening one of the square bins.
I just tapped off the lead beading with a hammer and a screwdriver.
just don't go overboard.

 

[ColinthePilot]

PAshooter has the right picture.

i grabbed the tab with vice grips to peel it open and the tab ripped right off leaving a 3/4" opening into the can. then I started pulling and peeling on any edge i could get the vice grips on and eventually had enough open to start pulling the 20rd packs out one by one.

thanks for the help, everyone. The ammo blows up water bottles nicely.

 

[PAshooter]

Remember it's corrosive... clean well.

 

[mcgyver454]

Use a coarse rat-tail file to split the upper edge all the way around and lift off. Relatively quick, definitely painless.

 

[Cannonball888]

There seems to be more of these ammo cans than there are openers. Probably because the commies had one can opener per 3 men. When the man with the opener gets shot, the other man picks up the opener...

 

[Hutch]

Another reason to appreciate USGI ammo cans. No wonder we won all those wars!!

 

[blkbrd666]

I would just leave it with my dog for about 30 minutes...he seems to be able to destroy anything man can create as fast as I can with power tools.

<---Me when I get home from work everyday.

 

[stephpd]

Ammo cans

4" angle grinder. Can open a can in 1 minute or less. Much quicker then a dremel.