How do I open this surplus ammo can? - The Firearms Forum

graehaven · 11-16-2008, 08:08 PM

Just purchased a can of surplus ammo from Cheaper than Dirt. It's a 440 round can of Russian 7.62x54R, metal can.

Any ideas on the best way to open one of these?

here's a link to the can: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM653-0.html

Any help is appreciated.

sabashimon · 11-16-2008, 09:34 PM

Just say Пожалуйста (Pazjaloosta)

graehaven · 11-17-2008, 05:52 AM

Huh??????

LDBennett · 11-17-2008, 07:11 AM

These are called "Spam" or "Tuna" cans. They use a key that is usually spot welded to the bottom of the can. If the key is not there then maybe a can opener can be made to work, either the crank kind or the old knife like one that you pump up and down after puncturing the lid with its point. But the key ought to be there.

LDBennett

oscarmayer · 11-17-2008, 07:24 AM

P-7 ANYONE REMEMBER THOSE ?

AL MOUNT · 11-17-2008, 07:33 AM

1. Lift end of can.
2. Place grenade under can.
3. Pull pin.
4. Run like hell.

graehaven · 11-17-2008, 08:24 AM

Thanks, LD, there's no key on the can, so, I'll look in the box it came in. Maybe they threw it in and I missed it.

In lieu of that, I'll try the hammer/chisel approach, carefully of course.

after that, I'll try Al's suggestion. Oh......wait.....I can't get grenades here in NY. Al, do you have any you could mail me?

TranterUK · 11-17-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graehaven

In lieu of that, I'll try the hammer/chisel approach, carefully of course.

It worked for me. I had some of those same cans once and it took ages to break in. Didn't try a grenade though.

graehaven · 11-17-2008, 09:55 AM

Found it!

Buried in the shipping box is a hefty looking tool to open the can. I'm all set now!

thanks all.

AL MOUNT · 11-17-2008, 10:23 AM

Your journey from "Can't opener" to "Can Opener"

has now ended my son... bless thee ....

Mr. Mosin & Mr. Nagant would be proud of you.

A little gold or silver chain

so you can wear that damn key around your neck ... would be really special.....

Remember..... if that been Polish Ammo........

the key/opener would have been "inside" the can .....

Popgunner · 11-18-2008, 08:44 AM

You may want to wear a leather glove if you use the can opener that comes with the ammo can. lots of folks have been cut on the jagged edges.

If you want to open the can the RE-fined way grab up a small handheld grinder. don't worry about the sparks setting off the ammo. Just grind litely thru the edge all the way around. That way you end up with a can that you can reach into to remove a little ammo for shooting & not disembowell yourself. After the ammo's gone you then have a nifty storage can for other things that has a nice dull edge that won't cut you.

11-16-2008, 08:08 PM	#1
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	How do I open this surplus ammo can? Just purchased a can of surplus ammo from Cheaper than Dirt. It's a 440 round can of Russian 7.62x54R, metal can. Any ideas on the best way to open one of these? here's a link to the can: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM653-0.html Any help is appreciated. __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE. -->

11-16-2008, 09:34 PM	#2
sabashimon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: PNW/Israel Posts: 672	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? Just say Пожалуйста (Pazjaloosta) __________________ "We sleep safely in ours beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." George Orwell "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." Thomas Paine

11-17-2008, 05:52 AM	#3
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? Huh?????? __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

11-17-2008, 07:11 AM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? These are called "Spam" or "Tuna" cans. They use a key that is usually spot welded to the bottom of the can. If the key is not there then maybe a can opener can be made to work, either the crank kind or the old knife like one that you pump up and down after puncturing the lid with its point. But the key ought to be there. LDBennett

11-17-2008, 07:24 AM	#5
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? P-7 ANYONE REMEMBER THOSE ?

11-17-2008, 07:33 AM	#6
AL MOUNT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleaning my Thompson in The Foothills of the Ozark Mountains Posts: 3,107	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? 1. Lift end of can. 2. Place grenade under can. 3. Pull pin. 4. Run like hell. __________________ 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division Vietnam 67-68

11-17-2008, 08:24 AM	#7
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? Thanks, LD, there's no key on the can, so, I'll look in the box it came in. Maybe they threw it in and I missed it. In lieu of that, I'll try the hammer/chisel approach, carefully of course. after that, I'll try Al's suggestion. Oh......wait.....I can't get grenades here in NY. Al, do you have any you could mail me? __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

11-17-2008, 09:55 AM	#9
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? Found it! Buried in the shipping box is a hefty looking tool to open the can. I'm all set now! thanks all. __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

11-17-2008, 10:23 AM	#10
AL MOUNT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleaning my Thompson in The Foothills of the Ozark Mountains Posts: 3,107	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? Your journey from "Can't opener" to "Can Opener" has now ended my son... bless thee .... Mr. Mosin & Mr. Nagant would be proud of you. A little gold or silver chain so you can wear that damn key around your neck ... would be really special..... Remember..... if that been Polish Ammo........ the key/opener would have been "inside" the can ..... __________________ 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division Vietnam 67-68

11-18-2008, 08:44 AM	#11
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: How do I open this surplus ammo can? You may want to wear a leather glove if you use the can opener that comes with the ammo can. lots of folks have been cut on the jagged edges. If you want to open the can the RE-fined way grab up a small handheld grinder. don't worry about the sparks setting off the ammo. Just grind litely thru the edge all the way around. That way you end up with a can that you can reach into to remove a little ammo for shooting & not disembowell yourself. After the ammo's gone you then have a nifty storage can for other things that has a nice dull edge that won't cut you.