Doc Thornton, you are right. In spite of continually trying to keep count of my shots with any firearm I have dropped the hammer on empty in the Mark I lots of times. Not sure if this was the cause of the few problems I had over the years. The gun did jam up at times which I was told was mostly by my using a bit too much lube, and faulty magazines. My gunsmith did replace a few parts once but if I had to pick one item it would be the magazines. Speaking of these magazines, after about 20K rounds they become razor sharp at the sides--that is when I replace them. I have been lucky to keep finding the old ones at gun shows. I was also very pleased to read Faulkner's post about dry firing. I fully agree with you about the Post Mark II Ruger pistols.