Abstract: Parallel action pliers for the manipulation of snap rings and the like. The jaws of the pliers carry a pair of parallel pins adapted to engage the snap ring, and the parallel relationship continues as the pins are moved away from or toward one another by actuation of the plier handles. The plier jaws are provided with two pairs of parallel bores in which the pins can be selectively mounted, and the pairs of bores are perpendicular to one another to enable the pliers to be either perpendicular or parallel to the plane of the snap ring being manipulated as available space may dictate.