On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:31:35 -0600, sherwindu
wrote:

All these horror stories makes me wonder. I have used snap shackles for 35 years
and never had the slightest problem.

You've been fortunate. There are actually conditions where some snap
shackles are able to flog themselves open just from inertial forces.
I had one set that needed to have extra strong springs installed on
the shackle pin because it was happening too routinely.

Having the release pin or its lanyard snag on something is another
proven shackle opener.