New West Vignette: FIREClean, Patent Medicine, And Gun Oil

Published on February 9, 2016
Duration: 20:32

This video explores the historical context of patent medicines and draws parallels to modern marketing claims in the firearms community, specifically examining FireClean. The hosts conduct a test comparing a dry AR-15, one lubricated with canola oil, and one with FireClean, observing smoke production as an indicator of performance. While not definitively proving FireClean's efficacy, the test suggests canola oil produced more smoke, potentially indicating more carbon removal or oil vaporization.

Quick Summary

The video compares modern firearms lubricant marketing, like FireClean's smoke test claims, to historical patent medicines. Tests on an AR-15 showed canola oil produced more smoke than FireClean, leading to speculation that smoke might indicate vaporizing lubricant rather than just carbon removal.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Patent Medicine Analogy
  2. 01:20InRangeTV Intro & Topic: Patent Medicine History
  3. 03:18Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
  4. 04:081936 Food and Drug Act Enhancement
  5. 06:36FireClean and Canola Oil Discussion
  6. 07:07Rapeseed Oil as Lubricant History
  7. 08:03Development of Canola Oil
  8. 09:09AR-15 Lubrication Test Setup
  9. 10:04Dry AR-15 Test
  10. 12:15Canola Oil Lubrication Test
  11. 13:55FireClean Lubrication Test Prep
  12. 15:50FireClean Test Firing
  13. 16:12Test Results: Smoke Comparison
  14. 18:09Analysis of Smoke as Indicator
  15. 19:18Conclusion & Patreon Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the historical context of patent medicines?

Patent medicines were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often unregulated, allowing manufacturers to make unsubstantiated claims. They sometimes contained harmful ingredients like cocaine and alcohol, and were only later regulated by acts like the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

Can vegetable oils be used as gun lubricants?

Yes, vegetable oils like rapeseed and sunflower oil have historical precedent as mechanical lubricants, even in military applications. Canola oil, a derivative, is also discussed as a potential lubricant, with tests showing it produced significant smoke when used on an AR-15.

What is the significance of smoke in firearm lubrication tests?

The video explores the idea that smoke from firing a lubricated firearm might indicate either carbon removal or vaporizing lubricant. The hosts suggest that if smoke is the primary indicator of performance, then canola oil produced more smoke than FireClean in their test.

Why are marketing claims for firearms products sometimes compared to patent medicines?

The comparison arises when products make extraordinary claims without verifiable proof, similar to historical patent medicines. The video highlights FireClean's 'smoke test' marketing as an example that triggers this comparison due to its unsubstantiated nature.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from InRangeTV

View all →