I've heard the same thing. Also, if it's been fired much (and I don't know the "cutoff") it won't take to the bore; an unfired barrel is optimal from what I've read.
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The military currently uses two finishes on an M4 for the barrel: parkerizing and chrome lining. Nitrocarburizing could narrow it down to one process which provides equal durability inside and out. Hell, it could be used for the other steel parts too. Not sure if it's compatible with aluminum though.
What process was he using to "strip", if you will, the bore of all firing residue? I think it would involve more than just Hoppes and a bore brush to get it to that level.
There is a guy on HKPro who did it to his MR556 barrel. I can't remember exactly what he did to get all of the fouling from the lands and grooves. I'll have to see if I can find his thread.
Heat kills barrels.
The bimetal jacket likely created more friction in that Lucky Gunner torture test.
If it can be quantified that the melonite bores create less friction than their chrome lined counterpart, I'd be inclined to agree with you.
Personally I hate shiny guns, so the treatment appeals to me because my barrel is in the white.
The wear resistance is a big bonus. (How many rounds did that Glock have through it in Pannone's torture test?)
BTW, there needs to be a tongue in cheek smiley.
;)