Hammer-fired vs striker-fire in rifles

[ChronoCube]

What are the pros and cons of these in the context of rifles? I know that in handguns, a big advantage of hammer-firing is that you can quickly recover from a FTF. I'm not so sure if that is the case with semiauto rifles though -- certainly not with the ones I've used. So what is the rationale behind hammer-fired rifles? It seems that the trigger system is a lot more complex than if it were striker fired, and much harder to modify/accurize. I have been able to greatly improve the trigger of a SF rifle using simple materials, but got nowhere when I attempted to do the same thing with a HF rifle. There has to be some advantage to counterbalance these disadvantages.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Most semi autos are hammer fired, the hammer is concealed within the action and the triggers are NOT double action.

Most bolt guns are striker fired, they are indeed cheaper to produce as all you need is a few tubes and springs.

Advantage to an exposed hammer? It's designed as a safety (half notch) ala lever action.

Advantage to concealed hammer? Less ways for dirt to get into the action.

Making a semi auto rifle like the AR or AK ina DA/SA rifle would add further to the complexity.

I think the majority of 'striker fired' automatics are indeed fully automatic--ala STEN and M3 and other simple tube guns.

Disadvantage of a striker fired rifle is a LONG spring behind the firing pin compared to hammer fired rifles.

 

[ChronoCube]

Disadvantage of a striker fired rifle is a LONG spring behind the firing pin compared to hammer fired rifles.

Thanks, that answered my question.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Remember also that, unlike Glocks and most other modern striker fired pistols, the striker in a rifle is 100% cocked by the action; the trigger only releases it.

In rifles, the choice to use a striker or hammer is based on the type of action, rather than cost. It just wouldn't make sense to have a hammer on a bolt gun, or a striker on a lever rifle. Trying to fit the less practical type of action would add to complexity of the firearm.

 

[jkingrph]

On my bolt guns, the spring surrounds most of the firing pin and does not contribute much to the length, if anything, of the bolt.