Im not a gunsmith but I think this is all explained by mechanics.
The hammer transfers energy (E=1/2mv^2) to the firing pin. There is a force (F=ma) and an impulse (I=mv). We can convert back and forth with math until we get a headache but, the relevant variables are always the mass of the hammer and the velocity with which it strikes the firing pin. I dont think physics cares about the direction of movement (straight or rotational movement). Energy is energy.
All that said, the OP's observation is really about cocking effort, which is better thought of as work. W = force x distance. I agree it is very difficult to compressing the springs in a boxlock but, you only compress the spring a small bit. It is easy to move the spring in an autoloader but you load it through a long distance usually an arc. It also easy to cock external hammer actions but, again you pull the hammer though a long arc.
I would wager that the work of cocking an SxS hammer (boxlock or sidelock) is about the same as the work of cocking an autoloader hammer. I also bet the different systems transfer equivalent energy to a firing pin.
Last edited by RyanF; 11/16/15 07:44 PM.
