My 2000 round Fireclean vs Canola Oil test

[VIP3R 237]

Don't roll your eyes too hard just yet haha.

Im sure many of you have heard of the so called controversy that FireClean is nothing but rebranded Crisco Canola Oil. I decided to find out for my self and do a test on two identical rifles. Each rifle was cleaned according to FireClean's instructions and one was lubed with FireClean while the other was lubed with 100% Canola Oil.

The test was to put 1000 rounds of XM855 through each rifle in a controlled manner and observe the results.

The firing schedule was 10 rounds of 100 rounds each. The first round was one shot per 2 seconds, and cool to ambient after the 100 rounds was fired. The second round would be as fast as you can pull the trigger to get the gun hot and nasty. We alternated between slow and fast until all 10 rounds were completed, we would wait overnight to see if any gumming occurs, and then we would inspect and clean the rifle. Both BCG's are Nickel Boron from the same supplier.

Green is Canola Oil, while the Blue rifle is FireClean.




This is at 250 rounds. Notice how there is more splash on the deflector of the Canola Oil rifle vs the blue rifle.




At 500 rounds.



Again at 750 rounds.




And finally at 1000




Now the BCG shots at 1000. At this point we experienced 0 malfunctions besides 1 separated case.

FireClean








Canola Oil






Interesting thing about the Canola Oil, it created a waxy substance that stained the carrier.


As far as cleaning goes both were still wet in areas which is pretty impressive as many of the big name lubricants are dry after 500 rounds much less 1000. One thing that we noticed is that the Canola Oil rifle stank really bad, while the FireClean rifle did not. The carbon on the bcg from the Canola Oil rifle was more difficult to remove, and as a previous picture shows, it stained the carrier in places. FireClean did not stain the carrier. Once again I am not impressed by Nickel Boron as both are blackened and the carbon did not wipe off with a rag as many claim.

So according to this real world test despite what the lab results are, I say that FireClean and Canola Oil are not the same substance. Overall I was impressed with how well both lubricants functioned, I would also say that Canola oil is not a bad lubricant to use in a pinch, if you can stand the smell that is.

[VIP3R 237]

Here is a picture of the stains left on the carrier of the Canola rifle after cleaned.

[SLewis]

Great test!
You've answered a lot of questions.

[Pilgrim]

Very interesting.

Time to buy some Fire Clean.

[ScottsBad]

Well, that was interesting to see. Not surprised that the Canola oil rifle stank. I wonder if FireClean uses some sort of refining technique. Anyway, I still use FireClean as I have 3 bottles. And I'm still happy with it. As I've said before I won't use canola oil in my rifle unless it is an emergency.

[concreteguy]

Thanks for posting in a new thread. The other one needs a fork put into it.

[Mars attacks...]

I'm enjoying the genuine scientific inquiry found on this forum instead of the slander and snakeoil I have been exposed to previously.

[ace4059]

I can not say definitively say that FireClean and Canola Oil are the same substance. Overall I was impressed with how well both lubricants functioned, I would also say that Canola oil is not a bad lubricant to use in a pinch, if you can stand the smell that is.

Can you clear this part up? I maybe reading it wrong but I am unsure of what you are trying to say there.

Thanks for the test. This may put the other thread to sleep.

[thx997303]

Interesting. Apparently you can pretty much lube an AR 15 with almost anything.

[VIP3R 237]

Can you clear this part up? I maybe reading it wrong but I am unsure of what you are trying to say there.

Thanks for the test. This may put the other thread to sleep.

Yeah i'll edit that to make it more clear. It made sense in my head but now ive read it I can see how its confusing.