I understand your concerns patman. Here is my thoughts on this filter issue.
If you have two filters, phyiscal size simular if not exact to meet the car specs, both have same bypass pressure ratings, only real difference is the media. One has less, the other more, which is going to allow flow easier? of course the lower media. Now, here's one thing I think is interesting.. These filters have bypass somewhere between 8-12lbs of pressure or there abouts. What is the pressure of an oil system? anywhere between 20-60lbs. So, one the oil pressure rises in an engine, the filter would be a restritor if it wasn't for the bypass, so, IMO, the filter hits the bypass pressure point and is in bypass from there on and that the only oil being filtered is what ever can pass through the media. Well, if the media is higher or has more restriction, then oil, like many things is going to take the least path of resistance. Point is, m1 filters is so effeicient that it take pressure to pass through the media, the fram doesn't as it will allow better flow because it doesnt' resist as much and that would mean more oil would go through the media vers the oil in a m1 filter.
So, in a nutshell, more flow through a low filter media or no or little flow through a high filter media, which would be better?
These are just thoughts and not facts based on observations and not any true data other than this oil analysis.
As for wear #s in the blend vers the mineral? I think maybe the type of filter media may contribute to this, and to establish this theory, I would have to goto the m1 filter on the mineral oil and see if it doesnt' elevate again. That's another time.