Clark Custom Guns Colt Government Model MK IV/Series 70 "Hard Ball" .45 ACP, 5-inch 1911, Kart Match Barrel, 1978
This 1978 Colt Government Model MK IV/Series 70 was converted by Clark Custom Guns to their "HARD BALL" configuration, identifiable by the Keithville, LA 71047 slide marking. It features a fitted Kart .45 ACP match barrel, target sights, and classic 1911 enhancements including a checkered front strap and arched checkered mainspring housing. This full-size, blued, .45 ACP 1911 has a 5-inch barrel and a 7+1 capacity. Sold AS-IS with multiple issues noted.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The left-side grip panel is cracked. The barrel shows pitting near the muzzle. There is rust inside the magwell. The frame exhibits scratches and areas of rust. The top grip screw and bushing on the right side are seized together, causing the bushing to turn out of the frame when the screw is turned.
The hammer follows the slide upon closing. Due to worn parts, replacement of at minimum the hammer, sear, mainspring, and sear spring is recommended. This firearm is sold AS-IS with multiple issues noted.
What’s Included
- Two 7-round single-stack 1911 steel magazines with witness holes
Clark Custom Guns built this Government Model to their "HARD BALL" spec, a classic target-focused conversion of the Colt MK IV/Series 70 platform. The Keithville, LA 71047 slide marking ties it to Clark’s period production and clearly identifies the shop’s work.
A fitted Kart match barrel is the centerpiece of the build, chambered in .45 ACP and installed to Clark’s standards. The pistol remains a full-size Government pattern with a 5-inch barrel and a 7+1 capacity.
Sighting equipment includes a fully adjustable rear target sight paired with a Partridge-style front blade for a crisp, square sight picture. Controls and ergonomics are period-correct, with a short trigger, spur hammer, and thumb safety.
Grip and handling enhancements include a checkered front strap and an arched, checkered mainspring housing. The slide carries rear-only vertical serrations, and both slide and frame wear a blued finish over carbon steel construction. This is a Series 70 configuration without a Series 80 firing-pin block. Sold AS-IS with multiple issues noted.