Quoted from Mancave:Same!!
For the record, received my blue drop target springs from the distro today and it definitively fixes the problem of bricking!!
I had the same problem, total bricks every hard shot to the drop targets. This was occurring on two of my Sterns, 007 and another. (the only ones I have with drop targets) I called Stern Tech Support. Turns out that both machines were out of warrantee, no surprise there since they only have 60 day warrantees anyway... (def not happy with the current terms!) Anyway, out of the kindness of their hearts they sent me two sets of Blue drop target springs. Seems to have fixed my problems as well.
I went the "replace rather than modify" route because I was concerned with how long the modified springs would last considering that they would be under serious tension even while the springs at their shortest (drop targets down) since 20 to 25 percent of the overall length has been effectively removed from the spring. The new blue springs are the same length as the original red springs but definitely stronger and just like the red originals, the replacement springs are mostly relaxed when target is down. Since the tension is lower it seems to me that the spring will last longer. At $0.75 each, I figure replacing is cheap insurance against unanticipated breakage - even if Stern doesn't replace them under warranty.
In my case, Stern did right by me, cost nothing but an email and I had two sets of springs in my hands the very next day (sent via fedex, no charge). Really great customer service and I'm really happy with the final results!