r/canadaguns • u/yummybunnybear • May 25 '26

Buy recommendations Makasi, Carmel, Both, or Neither?

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Both non-restricted 5.56 short-stroke gas piston semiauto accepting Stanag mags. Both taking orders with similar delivery dates. What is your choice and your reasons?

Edit: So to summarize what y'all are saying: - Makasi for AR aesthetics and compatibility, - Carmel for reliability, - Both if you hate money, - Neither because of potential bans.

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u/suckmeupp May 26 '26

I pre-ordered the Carmel over the Makasi for these reasons

Aesthetically I do like the Makasi more but from a reliability aspect I rather choose the more proven gun.

Firstly, iwi is a much more reputable then brigade manufacturing. Iwi has literally spent millions of dollars in research and development to make the Carmel as it was made for a military contract bid that didn't end up coming to fruition the Carmel has been around a lot longer than the Makasi so it has a lot more reviews and it's been tested a lot more. Yes, there are proprietary parts to the Carmel so you're not going to have as much flexibility as you would with the Makasi.

But the most important thing for me was if I'm spending $2,500 on a rifle I want it to be proven. And the Carmel gives me a lot more confidence in that aspect than the Makasi.

Again, I'm not saying the Makasi is a bad gun. But because reliability is most important to me, I chose the Carmel.

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u/King-Conn May 26 '26

Exactly. If SHTF I wanna be able to rely on my firearm with 0 doubts. IWI just takes the cake for now, until the Makasi has been around and abused long enough for me to trust it 100%

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u/Last-End-6508 11d ago

If SHTF let’s be honest are you gonna choose the giant nerf gun that’s “proven” or grab your SKS? Makasi may not be battle proven yet but the build quality is definitely there. 7LB all metal. It’s meant to last a lot longer than polymer