Diagonal Cutters for Cotter Pins

[Beerhippie]

Or throwing them like a baseball, they are way too heavy. Another fun fact, the thrower is also in the “kill” zone of the grenade he threw. The kill zone has a 75m radius and the average soldier can only throw a grenade 50m.

There are several kinds of grenades. I don't recall the designations of each, but what you're thinking of is a defensive grenade--your position is being overrun and you have some sort of cover that, hopefully, the bad guys don't.

Offensive grenades have much smaller kill zones--if any (flashbang). They're the ones you use when the bad guys have cover and you don't--throw them into the cover.

 

[Superdavey]

Channellock 447’s, about $37

https://www.channellock.com/product/447/

That’s what I use as well. I bought an abused one for a dollar at the restore. The cutting edges aren’t the best but definitely great leverage for pulling out cotter pins , staples , etc

 

[WWheeler]

One of these is usually what I grab for dealing with cotter pins, but I don't tend to fight with them very long before I just snip the eye and tails off, tap a socket on and spin it off with an impact, then drill what's left of it out.

Proto 11" (J246G) and Knipex 10" (74-21-250)

^^^this

NWS 8" Heavy Duty Lever Side Cutter FantasticoPlus - TitanFinish - SoftGripp, Tethered Attachment | NWS at KC Tool

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I have Craftsmans just like that. $20 at Lowes

Welp, I was definitely considering those NWS cutters but I'm a sucker for Craftsman's lifetime guarantee on tools like these. Thanks for mentioning them. I'm definitely going to be getting a pair of these.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-8-in-Diagonal-Cutting-Pliers/1000595323

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RC8NGFX?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Sumboodie]

One of these is usually what I grab for dealing with cotter pins, but I don't tend to fight with them very long before I just snip the eye and tails off, tap a socket on and spin it off with an impact, then drill what's left of it out.

Proto 11" (J246G) and Knipex 10" (74-21-250)







Welp, I was definitely considering those NWS cutters but I'm a sucker for Craftsman's lifetime guarantee on tools like these. Thanks for mentioning them. I'm definitely going to be getting a pair of these.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-8-in-Diagonal-Cutting-Pliers/1000595323

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RC8NGFX?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yup, that's them. My orginal pair from 2003 or so was non compound and the rubber handles turned to goo. That version is all they had as a replacement.

I've been using them for a couple years, no complaints.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

There are several kinds of grenades. I don't recall the designations of each, but what you're thinking of is a defensive grenade--your position is being overrun and you have some sort of cover that, hopefully, the bad guys don't.

Offensive grenades have much smaller kill zones--if any (flashbang). They're the ones you use when the bad guys have cover and you don't--throw them into the cover.

M67 fragmentation grenade was never designated as a defensive or offensive grenade. At least not when I was in the army. You most certainly used frags as an offensive weapon against enemy in cover. I was never issued a frag grenade with a smaller kill zone.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

The reason US grenades are the size and shape of a baseball is because every soldier has thrown just that and should have no trouble throwing grenades with the same shape. It is in fact how the military teaches it. You are right though, it must be thrown from behind substantial cover.

Where did you do your Basic at? You are not taught to throw them like a baseball, at least we weren’t at Ft Sill, OK in 1992 (D Batt, 1/31 FA. You more or less sling them. They may be the same size and shape as a baseball, but are way heavier. You will throw your shoulder out trying to throw a strike with one.

Hand grenades are one thing that movies show in a very underwhelming manner compared to real life. When we were learning to throw them in MCT they had a wall with bullet proof glass that you could watch after finishing with your throw and I was shocked how bad it actually was.

Also it was a very hot day and we were complaining about have to wait maybe 100 m with the wall between us in our helmets and flak vest when I felt a thump on my shoulder. There sticking out of my flak shoulder pad was a 3/4" piece of hot shrapnel buried in pretty deep. It wouldn't of killed me but wouldn't have been pleasant either.

When I EAS I took a job in an engine factory. They had to set all the valves on half of the cylinders, remove a locating pin and turn it over 360 degrees. They would yell fire in the hole so no one had their fingers in the way somewhere on the engine.

The first time they did that when I started I dove for cover out of instinct which amused every one else greatly.

Know what you mean it was about 100 degrees the day we went to the grenade range in Basic at Sill in full battle rattle including Kevlar vest. Drill Sgts had no problem getting us to drink water that day. I always liked digging .50 pits with grenade sumps. Like those were going to do a bit of good if a grenade landed in your hole.

 

[seber]

Where did you do your Basic at? You are not taught to throw them like a baseball, at least we weren’t at Ft Sill, OK in 1992 (D Batt, 1/31 FA. You more or less sling them. They may be the same size and shape as a baseball, but are way heavier. You will throw your shoulder out trying to throw a strike with one.

I was at fort Polk in 1969. I also threw a few in Vietnam. Unless they changed things. the procedure was overhand like a baseball. But yes, not trying for a horizontal pitch but like a throw from outfield to home base.