Two questions. First,I have always heard that an action design with fewer parts is a 'better' design. I am not sure that is the case, but anyway, what do you think? Second question; Which falling block single shot has the fewest parts?

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Originally posted by gwahir:
Two questions. First,I have always heard that an action design with fewer parts is a 'better' design. I am not sure that is the case, but anyway, what do you think? Second question; Which falling block single shot has the fewest parts?

In response to your first question, it's a basic principle of engineering, with all things, not just rifles: As long as a design fulfills it's stated purpose fully, then the fewer parts the better. Fewer parts mean fewer things to go wrong. But this is only true as long as reducing the number of parts does not compromise the performance of the mechanism, whether it's a rifle, a submarine, or a can opener.

I'm afraid I can't answer your second question, sorry.

Adding to what has been stated already, keeping the parts count low usually also means that the item can be made cheaper without compromising quality, as long as that reduction in parts does not come at the expense of having to use very specialized/expensive manufacturing processes.

I once read an article that claims that Browning had, during one of his legendary tiffs with Winchester, designed a single-shot falling block in .22 Rimfire that had just 4 parts, being the receiver, the breech block, the extractor and a spring. I suspect there must have been a pin for the extractor as well.

The purpose was to force Winchester to pay for a patent that they could not use (due to their market position), but also could not ignore (due to the competition that would result), however I have been unable to find any patent description or drawings.

Apparently, the spring pushed the block forwards and upwards at an angle, and it had the trigger formed as the bottom part of the block, as well as a ledge that hooked under the bottom of the receiver. The firing pin was also formed as a projection on the face of the breech block. Thus, pushing the breech block down with the thumb caused it to hook in the open position, so that a round could be chambered. Pulling the trigger then un-hooked the breech block, whereupon it rose upwards under spring pressure, first containing the cartridge and then striking the rim from the bottom, and setting it off.

Frank de Haas made a big noise about keeping the parts count low, and the De Haas/Miller action had a lot fewer parts than the Ruger, which was at the time the only competition. Of the currently commercially-available actions, the Hagn is probably the leader in this respect, or very nearly so with 35 parts including all springs, pins and screws (very similar to the De Haas in fact). My own action is also very similar, although I have added a few more parts to get additional features such as an adjustable trigger. I suspect the high and low-wall Winchesters must be around the same parts count as well, and the various Martinis (if you include them as falling blocks) must be similar.

Of course, if you delete the "falling block", there are several simpler breech-loaders, notably the Remington rolling block.

Each part must also be economically producible. That is where the Ruger shines above all others; like it or not. And another rule is to minimize screws; never use a screw when a pin will do and never use a pin when you can have interlocking parts.
The rolling block is the most successful single shot action; and was the most widely produced for that reason. Falling block? The Sharps, although the side lock does make it more complicated.

As an Engineer you strive for a simple design. In many cases a design problem is resolved by complicating the design and adding parts. The highest complement that can be bestowed on a Design Engineer after having solved a difficult design problem is for a peer to state "That is so simple anyone should have been able to have done that.". That was the genius of designers such as John Browning.

Well thought out comments! Peter,you have provided an enjoyable verbal picture of the simple Browning design for all of us.

I am building a Hauck on an investment cast kit and like the simplicity. These three parts and a trigger plate are about it!

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I am building a Hauck on an investment cast kit

Where did you find the kit ?

I is Rodney Story kit.