Why is the effort required to

penguin1

cock the hammer on an autoloader more than a revolver? It appears so to me with an High Power and a Model 29.

TANK78Z

basically different types ,sizes, weights, geometry, of the springs used and how they are utilized among other things too numerous to get into.

rufesnow

Many variables come into play, as the previous poster noted. One that comes to mind, specifically. As far as 9 mm is concerned, is the primer hardness of 9 mm military ammo.

The first Hi Power, I owned back in the 70's. Was a surplus, West German, Grenz Schutz, pistol in new condition. I was really pissed, that I was having misfires, with Swede surplus military ammo. Didn't know the ammo, was specifically made for open bolt "K" guns. And a heavier hammer spring would have solved my problems.

This is one of the reasons, that a 9 mm auto requires a heavier hammer spring.

BobJudy

Perhaps the size and shape of the hammer as well as the type of spring being put under tension. Revolver has longer hammer and better leverage. Also the revolver has a longer spring that takes up its load more gradually instead of a shorter stiffer spring that you have to compress. Bob

charliemeyer007

Geometry can be part of the issue. Moment arm/leverage plus spring type (coil vs. flat leaf). Racking the slide back on High Standard HDM is much easier if I cock the hammer first.

Mobuck

The answer is simple: revolvers were originally designed to be thumb cocked and semi-autos weren't. DUH???