How do I correctly open a sealed tin ammo can??

SwedeSteve · 02-16-2008, 05:47 PM

There is a "key" for opening them. Probably one/two keys per crate of ammo. Someone that knows Brit History could tell you a story of the brits getting slaughtered because they didn't have the wrench/key to open their ammo in time!

270wsm · 02-16-2008, 06:31 PM

Just lay it in a campfire.Make sure all your buddies are standing close by.
Naaaaaaaaa......j/k

Mosin Shooter · 02-16-2008, 09:30 PM

Didn't we just have this discussion.
Shooting it open, blow torching it open and then I think..........

"If you remember Barbarosa. The Nazis invaded rapidly into Russia all the way to Stalingrad unimpeded then the Ruskies finally got their ammo cans open and pushed the Nazis all the way back to Berlin". Kudos to Zen900 for that qoute.
Truth is, there are a number of ways to open the ammo can, not all of them are practical, but it does help to use a crobar if you can't find an ammo can opener. Don't shoot the thing open, and if you are honestly stupid enough to blowtorch the thing open, write me into your will
(I want an M44 if any of you care to blowtorch open your ammo cans)
I'll try to find that thread if any of you are interested.

NVM, JAC already posted it.

PaulTBarton · 02-17-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marion57

If you look the can over very carfully you will find a pull tag .. It may have some solder on it but if you get a hold of it with a pair of needle nose pliers and roll it back like the old spam cans( that had spam in it) it will roll right up then lift the top lid off it and walla AMMO!

Yup, That does it. I usually grab the ring/tab with needle nose
pliers and wind up the band, kinda like an old spam (food product) can (?).
The empty can then makes a neat garbage can for spent cleaning patches.

Ballbearing · 02-17-2008, 04:12 AM

I tried using the pull tab and it broke off about a third of the way around. I pulled one corner of the lid open as far as i could get it and then pulled each 10 round paper package out of that tiny hole one at a time. Am i allowed to say that those things are a &^%$*!

ingous · 02-17-2008, 11:57 AM

I agree. I can only share from my own experience, but when I tried to "carefully" pull the tab it came off in about 5 sec. The solder was very thick right on the seal so I had my doubts if it would work right away. In the end the "hammer + screwdriver + needle nose pliers" method did the trick.

texnmidwest · 02-17-2008, 12:01 PM

When, notice I said when and not if, the ring breaks, tin snips will work to cut it the rest of the way. Or just keep working on the top seam with pliers or something. It will open.

LefthandShooter · 02-17-2008, 06:30 PM

Wood splitting Axe? Chainsaw? Gernade?
Begging the dealer to open it first?

Mike82 · 02-18-2008, 05:06 AM

Just grab one of the old-fashioned 120-volt HD soldering irons(metal rod with wood handle) and give it about uhhh, 2min to get hot, then just slide it along solder, that stuff will melt quicker than you think, I think you should be able to open it nicely using default tabs, so long as there is no defect in the tabs, in about 5min+/- depending on how cold it is outside, and how much freezing air is blowing on the solder to harden it right back up.
Evryone should have one of them....I got 12 from my grandaddy when he passed last year, he liked to collect multiples of things, he even bought his/hers john deere tractors about 5yrs ago. :P

Cyrano · 02-19-2008, 12:25 PM

I have the solution to how the soldiers who used the Mosin got their spam can ammo tins open. As I suspected, they used a can opener, a very specific one.

And here's the ebay listing that shows two of them, in case you want to buy one against the purchase of your next spam can of ammo:

Mosin Nagant, Russian, Polish, Ammo openers 7.62x54 - eBay (item 270212501844 end time Feb-23-08 08:42:00 PST)

SwedeSteve · 02-19-2008, 12:33 PM

As I was saying Cyr....... LOL !!

ingous · 02-20-2008, 09:18 PM

Well, I bought another one. Here we go again.......

Mooseman684 · 02-20-2008, 09:46 PM

Sing it with me....

I got Mosinitis,
You got Mosinitis
We got Mosinitis Too !
dot dot dot dot dot dot daa...

(Repeat)

LoL
Rich

SwedeSteve · 02-20-2008, 10:07 PM

I needed a laugh!

billy · 02-20-2008, 10:10 PM

i got the edge up and then grabbed it with channel locks and tore it open piece by piece.
i had homade shrapnel without the muss and fuss of the explosion.

mym1a · 02-20-2008, 10:15 PM

punch hole big enough to use a pair of cotter pin cutter pliers.

ingous · 02-20-2008, 10:25 PM

I got Mosinitis,
You got Mosinitis
We got Mosinitis Too !
dot dot dot dot dot dot daa...

It's a chronic condition from now on, isn't it?

Texan · 02-20-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrano

Do you think a P-38 might work, or is the metal too thick? Or the top lip too high?

Was going to suggest the same thing....got an extra one in some rations one afternoon. But I really think the lip of the can is too high.

o~\o

mym1a · 02-20-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texan

Was going to suggest the same thing....got an extra one in some rations one afternoon. But I really think the lip of the can is too high.

o~o

tryed using the p38 the blade is to short

marion57 · 02-21-2008, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

i got the edge up and then grabbed it with channel locks and tore it open piece by piece.
i had homade shrapnel without the muss and fuss of the explosion.

gee billy you took all the fun out if it!

02-16-2008, 05:47 PM	#21
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,152 Images: 1	There is a "key" for opening them. Probably one/two keys per crate of ammo. Someone that knows Brit History could tell you a story of the brits getting slaughtered because they didn't have the wrench/key to open their ammo in time! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

02-16-2008, 06:31 PM	#22
270wsm Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 326 Images: 2	Just lay it in a campfire.Make sure all your buddies are standing close by. Naaaaaaaaa......j/k __________________ THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT,THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER,AS I HAVE LOVED YOU-Jesus Christ(John15:12)

02-16-2008, 09:30 PM	#23
Mosin Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: I don't know where I am, but I know where you are. Posts: 451	Didn't we just have this discussion. Shooting it open, blow torching it open and then I think.......... "If you remember Barbarosa. The Nazis invaded rapidly into Russia all the way to Stalingrad unimpeded then the Ruskies finally got their ammo cans open and pushed the Nazis all the way back to Berlin". Kudos to Zen900 for that qoute. Truth is, there are a number of ways to open the ammo can, not all of them are practical, but it does help to use a crobar if you can't find an ammo can opener. Don't shoot the thing open, and if you are honestly stupid enough to blowtorch the thing open, write me into your will (I want an M44 if any of you care to blowtorch open your ammo cans) I'll try to find that thread if any of you are interested. NVM, JAC already posted it. __________________ Liberal-a person who has a mind so open, their brain has fallen out. Last edited by Mosin Shooter; 02-16-2008 at 09:37 PM.

02-17-2008, 12:01 PM	#27
texnmidwest Where's that Coyote?! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 4,067	When, notice I said when and not if, the ring breaks, tin snips will work to cut it the rest of the way. Or just keep working on the top seam with pliers or something. It will open. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

02-18-2008, 05:06 AM	#29
Mike82 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Starkville, Mississippi USA Go BullDAWGS!!! Posts: 1,659 Images: 7	Just grab one of the old-fashioned 120-volt HD soldering irons(metal rod with wood handle) and give it about uhhh, 2min to get hot, then just slide it along solder, that stuff will melt quicker than you think, I think you should be able to open it nicely using default tabs, so long as there is no defect in the tabs, in about 5min+/- depending on how cold it is outside, and how much freezing air is blowing on the solder to harden it right back up. Evryone should have one of them....I got 12 from my grandaddy when he passed last year, he liked to collect multiples of things, he even bought his/hers john deere tractors about 5yrs ago. :P __________________ No Trespassing! Violators Will Be Shot! Survivors Will Be Shot Again! Last edited by Mike82; 02-18-2008 at 05:08 AM. Reason: spell-check takes time to use....i'd rather just use edit feature :P

02-17-2008, 04:12 AM	#25
Ballbearing Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 167	I tried using the pull tab and it broke off about a third of the way around. I pulled one corner of the lid open as far as i could get it and then pulled each 10 round paper package out of that tiny hole one at a time. Am i allowed to say that those things are a &^%$*!

02-17-2008, 11:57 AM	#26
ingous Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MN Posts: 526	I agree. I can only share from my own experience, but when I tried to "carefully" pull the tab it came off in about 5 sec. The solder was very thick right on the seal so I had my doubts if it would work right away. In the end the "hammer + screwdriver + needle nose pliers" method did the trick.

02-17-2008, 06:30 PM	#28
LefthandShooter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In A House in NE Ohio! Posts: 1,685	Wood splitting Axe? Chainsaw? Gernade? Begging the dealer to open it first?

02-19-2008, 12:25 PM	#30
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,859	Well, this is how the soldiers did it... I have the solution to how the soldiers who used the Mosin got their spam can ammo tins open. As I suspected, they used a can opener, a very specific one. And here's the ebay listing that shows two of them, in case you want to buy one against the purchase of your next spam can of ammo: Mosin Nagant, Russian, Polish, Ammo openers 7.62x54 - eBay (item 270212501844 end time Feb-23-08 08:42:00 PST)

02-19-2008, 12:33 PM	#31
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,152 Images: 1	As I was saying Cyr....... LOL !! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

02-20-2008, 09:18 PM	#32
ingous Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MN Posts: 526	Well, I bought another one. Here we go again.......

02-20-2008, 09:46 PM	#33
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,397 Images: 2	Sing it with me.... I got Mosinitis, You got Mosinitis We got Mosinitis Too ! dot dot dot dot dot dot daa... (Repeat) LoL Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

02-20-2008, 10:07 PM	#34
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,152 Images: 1	I needed a laugh! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

02-20-2008, 10:10 PM	#35
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 13,877 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 154	i got the edge up and then grabbed it with channel locks and tore it open piece by piece. i had homade shrapnel without the muss and fuss of the explosion. __________________

02-20-2008, 10:15 PM	#36
mym1a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,313	punch hole big enough to use a pair of cotter pin cutter pliers.

02-20-2008, 10:25 PM	#37
ingous Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MN Posts: 526	I got Mosinitis, You got Mosinitis We got Mosinitis Too ! dot dot dot dot dot dot daa... It's a chronic condition from now on, isn't it? Last edited by ingous; 02-20-2008 at 11:26 PM.