[Frankie DiBetta]

I have a Mark IV, Series 70 in nickel finish. I would prefer it be hard chrome. Is this possible to do and if so is it very expensive?

[dfariswheel]

Yes, it's possible.
Most any of the bigger gun finishers can remove the nickel and re-coat with hard chrome.

Price depends on who does the work. Hint: cheapest ISN'T necessarily the best.

I'd get a copy of the next issue of American Handgunner. The larger, better gun finishers usually advertise there.

Another good choice is Metaloy in Berryville Arkansas.

[Spackler]

Here are a few sites to check:

http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/

http://www.apwcogan.com/

http://www.billyhill.com/metaloy/

I don't have experience with any of them, but I'm sure there are folks on this board who've used one or all of the above and can give you some additional info.

[Sean Smith]

It can be done, stripping nickel is no big deal. Have Metaloy do it.

http://www.billyhill.com/metaloy/

[CWL]

The first step in hard chroming is chemically stripping the gun to base metal anyway. So it would need to be done regardless.

[AK103K]

Series 70's in nickel finish have become pricey, I've been seeing them in the Gun List for around $900-950. If its in good shape, you may do better to sell it and get just what your looking for and some change. I had my Combat Commander hard chromed. I like it a lot, but its not cheap. Mine ran $200 to have the Commander done. Its well worth the money as its a hard wearing finish, but it will still wear and can rust if not re-oiled after degreasing. Eventually, it will "polish" on the wear points from your holster. Even so, its stopped my rusting problems from summer carry, and I wouldnt hesitate to have another gun done if needed.