Well, you may consider the idea that since no metal deposits are left in the barrel, it is sort of confirming that steel jacketed ammunition actually takes steel from the barrel instead?
The fact that deposits of lead and brass are left behind is simply the fact that the softer metal is damaged during the launch, and not the harder barrel material itself, which will create a need for regular cleaning. And one thing most soldiers have more than enough time for, especially those in countries that never go to war, is cleaning.
Anyway, this may be interesting from an army point of view, where the standards set and maintained for fire arms are aimed at a different set of goals as opposed to the average sports/recreational/historic shooter who just wants to enjoy his gun with as little damage as possible for as long a time as possible. This is why I still stand by my advice not to shoot steel jacketed ammunition in collectible/historic firearms.
I handle the SIG PE90 regularly and I must say that I can confirm that it can't take the beating a 20 year older Colt AR15 used by the same people, with the same ammunition, under the same conditions can (and does). Rapidly declining accuracy, parts breakage, and general down time are relatively high.
A thought: After WW2, and lots of steel jacketed 9mm, what was the single most part that was replaced on the average P08 by the DDR who refurbished many? Yep: The barrel...
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