Need help! Which do I choose?

[u/rastamasta45]

The Makasi is 100$ cheaper and metal, iwi Carmel is polymer and from a reputable manufacturer? Decisions decisions 🤔

[u/EnvironmentBright697]

Handguard on the Carmel is aluminum. Receiver and everything else is polymer though. One advantage the Carmel has is the barrel being cold hammer forged and chrome lined. That would add to barrel longevity quite a bit. Makasi has the advantage of using a standard AR15 bolt, which is also nice for longevity reasons. Makasi also has the advantage of being able to install different pic rail stocks. IWI is a very reputable manufacturer, and the Carmel was built to compete for military contracts, so it should be a reliable rifle with good warranty support.

It’s a tough choice tbh. I think a lot of people won’t be able to get over how ugly the Carmel is, but the makasi isn’t much better imo. I wish the handguard was a bit longer, even if it did add a little weight. Gas setting can be changed easier on the Carmel. The Makasi requires removing the handguard. Not much of a difference up here though since we can’t get suppressors anyway.

[u/Embarrassed-Gur1769 → u/EnvironmentBright697]

Carmel looks like its fully ambi while makasi isnt(missing bolt release)?

Also looks like makasi cant take grips with beaver tail?

Is the Carmel more accurate?

[u/EnvironmentBright697 → u/Embarrassed-Gur1769]

I would bet on the Makasi being more accurate because the barrel is nitrided. Chrome lining will add longevity and corrosion protection, but typically reduces accuracy a bit. The one exception being criterion barrels with thier proprietary chrome lining process which is their claim to fame. The Makasi can use any standard AR15 trigger which is nice so lots of options there, while the Carmel does not. The Carmel does come with a two stage trigger that is apparently pretty decent though. Really does seem like a toss up between these two rifles, they both have their pros and cons. I’m leaning towards the Carmel personally just because it’s coming from IWI and not a smaller manufacturer. I’m wondering if the Carmel’s are going to be coming straight from Israel, or if they’re coming from IWI’s American factory.

[u/Agile-Delay-8770 → u/EnvironmentBright697]

Do you know if the Carmel can accept aftermarket barrels like the Makasi would?

[u/EnvironmentBright697 → u/Agile-Delay-8770]

Not unless dlask or IWI decides to make some. Doesn’t use an AR15 style barrel and barrel nut. The barrels are clamped into place. Could probably use any ar15 barrel in the makasi as long as its same profile and/or gas system (carbine) and you can drill the top of the barrel for the gas block roll pin. Might need a gunsmith for that, but I bet an inverted gas block pinning jig would work.

[u/Agile-Delay-8770 → u/EnvironmentBright697]

Yeah I think that’s a big big pro for the Makasi. The more research I do about IWI the more I see the lack of support for their firearms that are on their way out of the market and the Carmel might be in that same predicament.

I called Makasi to ask and they said any AR barrel can be swapped as long as it takes care of that gas block/roll pin and carbine length. I believe the thickness at the gas block is 0.75” so you could a socom I believe.

[u/EnvironmentBright697 → u/Agile-Delay-8770]

0.75 journal is pretty standard, would make it easy to swap barrels it sounds like. Agree that’s a pretty big plus.