I can't even remember the last time I saw one but there is one in DesMoines, new. Someone with a better memory please refresh mine... were these tuned to target ammo only or can they shoot ball without damage?

All else fails I reckon I could look at the owners manual. Dang they lay awake at night down there thinking about ways to tempt me.

Not sure about today's production version, but my Series 70 Gold Cup will in fact digest hardball; there is nothing in the manual saying otherwise. Having said that, the spring is lighter than a Government Model, the slide is lighter, and I have installed a recoil buffer to minimize peening of the slide against the frame. I prefer to shoot light loads in mine; for hardball I've got a Springfield GI 45.

You can always buy heavier springs for these also.

Thanks. That sounds right. This one is out of the Colt Custom Gunshop and I really should not have to worry about hardball anymore but I thought I should ask. I remember they also chambered these for the 38 spc back in the day. It would be best to let a younger shooter snarf it up. I am still a fair pistol shot but my hand and eye is not what it used to be! We will see who gives in first.

Oh, horsefeathers, Jake! Life is SHORT - - if you want this thing then go and snag it! Heck, you can always sell it to a younger shooter after you've had some fun with it!

I had one of the pre-Series 70's, and it would handle heavy loads (heavier than GI hardball), but I had to replace the rear sight crosspin with one made of a stronger steel. The factory pins (roll pins) would shear! I ended up making a pin from the shank of a Herter's stainless steel fishhook. It was the only type of steel I ever found that held up for many, many rounds!!