Makasi, Carmel, Both, or Neither?

[u/yummybunnybear]

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.

[u/Alternative_Two475]

I have pre-ordered the Makasi over the Carmel for a variety of reasons. Foremost among those is the fact that the Makasi is conventional metal (aluminum and steel) construction, resulting in a smaller, more svelte and lighter weight package. The Carmel's polymer cladding over metal construction results in a larger, bulkier and heavier overall platform, exceeding 8 lbs bare bones.

On top of the overall size and weight, the Makasi is (in my view) the far better looking of the two platforms. The hybrid nature of the Makasi results in a more handsome firearm of a comparatively compact size and light (7 lbs) weight. By all accounts, reliability with the Makasi is excellent and accuracy with bulk ammo is acceptable at approximately 2 MOA.

I did not order a Carmel because it is little more than a conventionally- laid out IWI X95 with a short-stroke piston system rather than a long-stroke. I have an X95, so would be buying a rifle that I already own, so to speak. I'd much rather buy, examine and enjoy the new hybrid design that I am not yet familiar with....

I can always buy a Carmel later on down the road if it appeals to me. Out of the starting gate however, the Makasi is my first choice, hands-down!