@atupe

That's a really smart design you have there sir.

This has to be one of the best attempts at measuring gun oil effectiveness relative to quantity of oil that I have seen. There is one fundamental issue with all such tests though: They don't measure an actual firearm. This manifests in several ways.
1. The amount of bearing surface of a test like this compared to the bearing surface of a bolt is significantly different. This test has far more surface than an actual bolt would.
2. The test indicates that less (nearly none) oil is better. Perhaps for a large flat block like this, then yes. However, a bolt is often riding on a couple narrow bearing surfaces and the force exerted is higher. This means the test has different contact surfaces than reality. It is possible that more oil in a firearm would be better so as to flow into the bolt bearing surfaces as the pressure presses it out.
3. Conditions of the test. In a firearm, there are forces exerted that are sometimes quite high, the temperatures are certainly higher, there will be carbon, dust, moisture etc and possibly more. So, a thin film might work in the laboratory like this but in a firearm the situation is so different that you get the opposite result.

Overall, I think that the attempt to try to control for one variable is a great idea. I'm not certain that it offers anything definitive regarding how to lubricate a firearm but I think it opens the door for some interesting investigation.

Thank you for your effort here. I think its one of the best I've seen. If you can somehow get readings from closer to real conditions I think you will really be on to something.

@brentfoto

Maybe gun manufacturers are correct when they suggest after lubing to 'remove excess lube'.  Of course, a saw blade on a turntable at 33rpm may not duplicate the metal on metal forces when shooting a firearm, but thank you for this video and for your time-consuming effort in your product evaluations on thefiringline.

@ParaAbnormal169

Thanks for the "evaluation"  interesting to see the results, with minimal lubrication, how well it does.  But how does it hold up to the corrosion side of things with so little being used?  Would a minimal amount, be enough to block out air and or water to prevent oxidation?  I think people use allot of lube, thinking they are protecting the metal as well as trying to provide lubrication.  I use grease on my barrel hood and it looks excessive but works very well.  
Do you think the force of a firearm in operation and that metal to metal contact, really compares to this minimal pressure evaluation metal to metal contact?  Just curious if there would be a difference with lets say, more force on metal to metal with a stronger motor.
Thanks for the work!  Love the tests!

@GetMeThere1

Well...it's a rational approach. But it doesn't agree with the simple observation that, say, an AR-15 bolt and carrier will cycle a LOT easier (by feel) with a heavy coat of oil -- and wiping the surfaces clean doesn't seem to change the feel as your data would predict. It may be that the forces involved in your experiment are too low -- and you're measuring an effect which is by the much higher forces in a firearm action; i.e., sort of what you're testing is simply the viscosity of the oil itself.

@coreybranam9224

I read your exhaustive review of the gun lubricants, which is awesome! I do have a question about the Hornady One Shot product that was used in the test. 1 of your photos showed their TAP HD Extreme product, another showed their Gun Cleaner & Lubricant product, & when I emailed Hornady about which of their products was in your test, they sent me data on their Case Lube product. All 3 are listed as separate products with different item #'s on their website & all begin with "Hornady One Shot...". Which product did you include in your review? Thank you.

@BushPigADV

The surface tension is cause by the massive flat you have going on.  This much much different than a bolt.

@riflesfirst208

I don’t understand the point of this test. 

Seems to contradict reality itself. 

Take an auto pistol and remove all traces of lubricant and rack it. 

Then oil it as per the manual and rack it. 

Tell me which condition feels smoother and with less friction.

@farhan.naushad

Tried this with my Subaru. Didn’t end well.

@Convolutedtubules

Do gold on gold.

@Convolutedtubules

Use line to protect your "parts" 😂

@jackeyp7147

This test only apply to moving parts which have more friction , bolt and slide in paticular. Rust prevention do not apply to less lube. More lube on outside surface of you weapon is always better.