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View Full Version : My 2000 round FireClean vs Canola Oil test



VIPER 237
8 November 2015, 18:01
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.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5773/22466863258_f00d2b50f9.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AejxHm)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5705/22871734362_afbeca9475.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AR6BMC)

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

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/572/22466850837_c66fb38b8e.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Aeju2c)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5741/22697190480_13b25e3aa3.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AzF2Ym)

At 500 rounds.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/587/22492382689_24c4b69c36.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AgzkKx)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/748/22492375169_9c0bd30faf.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AgzivT)

Again at 750 rounds.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/632/22492376689_a4ebe2baed.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AgziY6)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5668/22261803104_d09b944df5.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zVcyts)

And finally at 1000

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/701/22696567520_a22320ed0f.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AzBQME)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/593/22696580270_5d029fd12d.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AzBUzu)

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

FireClean

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/688/22871126082_b851aaa285.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AR3uY3)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/676/22858618626_ae58391386.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/APWoWf)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/767/22261859254_8b3dbf1378.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zVcRay)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5731/22871094282_ab1836259b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AR3kvL)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/643/22696562390_57492b2a89.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AzBPgd)


Canola Oil

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/628/22492449679_cdf1789934.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AgzFEx)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/564/22871088162_8744b2d694.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AR3iGf)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5635/22858591906_b9462654d3.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/APWfZy)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5795/22263425383_996aa0f24f.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zVkSHM)

Interesting thing about the Canola Oil, it created a waxy substance that stained the carrier.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5734/22263414403_c50240f2e0.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zVkPst)

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 Canola Oil 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.

alamo5000
8 November 2015, 18:06
I can't believe that you actually did this! LOL!!!

You are going to be an internet sensation.

VIPER 237
8 November 2015, 18:08
I can't believe that you actually did this! LOL!!!

You are going to be an internet sensation.

Haha I had to test some rifles anyways, I figured I may as well do this while Im at it!

oh and here is a picture of the stains left on the carrier of the Canola rifle after cleaned.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5783/22261831824_8f48b0f6e1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zVcH1C)

alamo5000
8 November 2015, 18:12
Here is a link that I think might be of interest. Has nothing to do with shooting but it explains a lot about cooking oils including at what temperature they start to burn. That waxy substance could be the left over fats or impurities in the oil.

Smoke point and flash point are related. If you heat cooking oil to a point and introduce a flame it will 'wooof' catch on fire.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/05/cooking-fats-101-whats-a-smoke-point-and-why-does-it-matter.html

DutyUse
8 November 2015, 19:24
Well done Viper

Farva
9 November 2015, 06:17
Very nice testing. Well done! Now for the next test, cooking with fireclean [BD]

UDT
9 November 2015, 07:34
A great report, thanks for sharing.

skd_tactical
9 November 2015, 08:22
Awesome. I wrote a review on our blog of Fireclean several months back. I have used it with students cleaning light and medium machine guns after long days at the range and have always been happy with the results. Thanks for running a side by side test. This is really very cool.

SOS

Pyzik
9 November 2015, 08:37
Ha, that is awesome. Someone had to do it.

velocity2006
9 November 2015, 08:48
Two BAMF rifles to test? Who'd you sleep with?

toolboxluis00200
9 November 2015, 09:42
Now try bacon fat !!!!

Mecha_Arms
9 November 2015, 22:54
Well done!

I've had good experience with Fire Clean, and it's good to see a real world test showing that it isn't just regular oil.

Jerry R
10 November 2015, 08:19
Nicely done Viper - and a very interesting write up of the results.

Txfilmmaker
10 November 2015, 21:20
Nice review! Bacon fat? Funny Luis. :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

toolboxluis00200
10 November 2015, 21:34
Nice review! Bacon fat? Funny Luis. :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lol [BD]

MoxyDave
11 November 2015, 12:21
Epic review, thanks for writing this up [:)]

VIPER 237
12 November 2015, 10:03
Thanks guys!