I also wanted to upgrade the barrel to a chrome lined (just a personal thing with me). I went with a Criterion Hybrid 16 inch chromelined with a .223 Wylde chamber and headspaced BCM bolt.
It comes with a 1/8 guide to drill the pin, but the makasi gas block uses a 3/16 pin. I found and used the following bushing without issue, it will fit on the MK4 jig in place of the 1/8 guide.
I did notice that the 2 bolts that interface through the handguard and the barrel nut were not in line, resulting in teeth marks on the barrel nut from the handguard mounting bolts. I easily fixed it by adding some shims to the barrel nut.
Finally, I wanted more of a fixed stock look for the Makasi. Unfortunately, I could not find any ready to order adapters that convert from 1913 picatinny to M16 female end plate. I combined the 2 items below to make my own. I had to Dremel the edges of the Yueoct mount so they would fit inside the anti rotation ledges of the adapter mount, but thankfully everything else lined up fine (the 2 parts even has the same 1/4 bolt matching threads!) Items below.
Now that I've got it set up, will try to take it out for a spin in the next week or so. If anyone has questions about specific aspects of the rifle, let me know, I'll answer as much as possible.
Thanks! Last upgrade I'm looking at doing, I want to put a Tango Down BG17 grip on it (Ive got large hands). I'll have to dremel/file down the beaver tail for it to fit. I experimented with a K2 grip I had lying around, was able to cut and file the beaver tail down so it fit on it.
I really like the gun, it's something fresh/different than the AR15, but is still close enough that some parts interchange, and others can be lightly modified to work.
I've got a gen 3 F5 stock on order, but shipping/customer service from F5 takes forever. The A2 stock is a work around, plus I like to tinker and play.
Yes, swapping the barrel is just like on an AR15. The only extra is drilling for the pin, but the Jig makes it easy.
Only 2 issues I had to solve, one was the guide for the 3/16 drill bit, and the other issue, the Jig mounts to the gas block with 2 screws, but the Makasi gas block screw holes are so close together, I could only fit one screw. The 2 screws are just to help align the Jig and keep it straight. Using just one screw just meant I had to manually align it then tighten it down. Once it was tightened down, it maintained alignment fine. I used a vice to suspend the jig/barrel and hold the jig in place.
It’s been in the American market since 2024, everything I’ve seen from it has been decent. Only detractor from what I’ve heard is that it just can’t beat the other rifles in the categories it tries to fill.
But we don’t have the problem clearly, there’s literally 0 competition aside from the Carmel (which really isn’t a good comparator given this is multical)
Just finished a range trip with it. Shot 200 rounds of M193 and some 77 grain AAC at 2550 FPS.
First off, be aware, the PDF owners manual that Makasi uses has an issue. It has 2 pictures in it showing the suppressed and unsuppressed settings, these pictures are backwards. The "unsuppressed" pictures of the setting is actually the "suppressed" setting, and vice versa. As a result, I started shooting the M193 on the suppressed setting, the gun still cycled reliably, but the ejection pattern was at 4:30-5:00, and it wouldn't lock back on an empty mag. Once I realized the setting issue (it had been in the back of my mind as when I disassembled the gun doing the barrel swap, I had made note of the actual hole sizes in the gas plug) I removed the handguard and set it to the correct "unsuppressed" setting.
After dealing with that, the gun ran both types of rounds without issue, ejection was around 2:00-3:00, and everything fed reliably. Handguard did get warm, but not to the extent that it was unusable. (I was shooting barehanded, no gloves).
I had 3 light primer strikes with the AAC ammo, but I attribute that to the ammo itself (AAC is plinking ammo, got it from Palmetto State Armory on a sale, also why it has a lower FPS than normal 77 grain).
I did have brass striking the outside of the upper reciever when ejecting. I'll probably get a velcro square, or rubberized piece and attach it on that area to protect the reciever.
You absolute legend, I’ve been waiting to hear about this. They advertise this rifle as a Multical rifle so I imagine it’s similar to the Renegade in that regard and would necessitate a barrel swap.
Any thoughts on how easy swapping the handguard is?
It's a proprietary handguard. The upper reciever has a square rectangle that sticks out the front of the receiver, just above the piston access hole. The rectangle slides into a recessed rectangle on the handguard when you slide it on. It acts as an alignment guide and anti rotation tab for the handguard.
I haven't confirmed yet, but the receiver might be slightly taller than a standard AR15 receiver, so swapping in an AR15 handguard might not be feasible.
I've got a delta ring coming, and an extra Magpul carbine handguard in my spare parts bin. The Magpul handguard might be tall enough to clear the piston, but I'll have to cut away part of the delta ring for it to fit. Will experiment when all parts arrive.
Help me understand what I’m looking at - this is the original handguard and this is the shape of the mounting interface of the receiver? Would you say it’s still different enough you cannot make an easy swap? I’ve seen some do it but I’ve been told it’s hand-guard dependent (the one in an old post of mine was a clamshell style attachment)
The pic is the original handguard the rifle comes with. The square rectangle sticking out slides into the upper square area of the handguard that exists on most/all handguards, and uses it for anti rotation.
Not planning on taking it anywhere. Just been seeing on social media that it's more popular in Canada vs. the U.S., so just wanted to share some info/pics.
So, just to preface, at this point, I'm treating this like a Lego project, just seeing how many AR-15 parts I can get to fit as is, or modify to fit. I'm in-between work projects and have some money to spend, so this is how I'm spending my time. I have a lot of left over AR15 parts from about 4 different AR builds, and this seems like a decent way to get some use out of them.
So, starting off, for the most FAL looking handguard, the Magpul standard handguard fits the bill. It's got that triangle profile already, and a bonus to that triangle handguard is it sits high enough, it can accommodate 2/3rds of the piston. Unfortunately, it did require cutting a 1/4 inch channel in the top back 1/3 of the handguard to allow clearance for the piston return spring. The rest of the piston appears to just barely clear the rest of the handguard. I'll be taking it out this weekend to verify the rifle functions, and the handguard doesn't impact the piston operation. Another point for the Magpul handguard, is it vastly improved accessibility to the short stroke components.
To make this work, it does require extensive modification to the GI barrel nut, Delta Ring, Delta Ring spring, and retainer clip. The most extensive modification was to the GI barrel nut. It required that I install it with the barrel and reciever, then once installed, mark the 2 teeth at the 12 o'clock position (the 2 teeth that cradle the gas tube on an AR) then removing everything and using a dremel to grind those two teeth flat/flush to give the piston rod and spring clearance. After that, the Delta Ring needs a 1/4 to 1/2 inch section cut out if it, the same for the spring and retaining clip. Reassemble everything (while fighting to keep the 1/4 to 1/2 inch cut sections lined up). Once everything is installed with the handguard, everything stays aligned on its own. The Delta Spring does touch the piston spring, but as the Delta spring free floats it moves with the piston, so im not as worried about that interfering as I am the portion of the system at the front of the handguard, it's a tight fit.
With this set up, you won't be able to use basic sights, but can still employ an optic. For basic sights use, I've installed the riser overhang. I have another smaller riser overhang on order to install on the back portion of the rifle, so I can have maximum use of rail space and will install the rear sight then.
In the future, I'm am considering purchasing the Midwest Industries Drop In Quad Rail. I've used it in the past with AR piston systems, and I believe it has a decent shot of giving me the clearance the piston needs without any modification to itself when used with my modified Delta Ring.
I've also switched out the A2 grip with a Tango Down BG17. It required removing the rear tang of the grip to fit it to the Makasi. Afterwards, I took sandpaper to the cut portion to remove sharp edges/round it off.
Im aware that some of my modifications are rough, at this point I'm more interested in utility/determining if things will work, then later once I settle on a setup, I'll look into cleaning up some fabrication aspects.
I recieved the F5 MFG ACR stock Gen 3 and the Midwest Industries MLoK Drop In Quad Rail.
ACR Stock:
Attached without issue, however because F5 doesn't make a Makasi specific Picatinny rail, the alignment is off by one groove, so I had to situate the stock one groove above top level so its not perfectly flush with the top of the reciever. Ended up not being a big deal after I added my rear sight, it created a "pocket" that my rear sight flips down into, so the lines still look good!
MI Quad Rail:
Got the rail attached, and noticed the following things. Can confirm, the Makasi reciever is slightly taller than an AR15 reciever. You can see in the pics I will attach below the height difference. Also, the underside of the Quad rail "bridge" that extends to the reciever sits on top of the reciever "extension" that acts as a anti rotation tab for the original handguard I mentioned in previous posts. With the Quad Rail fully installed, it seems like the piston has just enough clearence to function, but its a very tight/close fit. I honestly can't say for sure until I take it out an shoot it.
As for the height difference between the handguard and the reciever, I may have to purchase a taller front site post to offset the difference, but I won't know for sure until I shoot it.
As stated before, the Delta ring, spring, barrel nut, and retaining clip have been dremeled/altered to accommodate the piston and allow for drop in handguard use.
If it functions/works, I'll probably leave this as my base set up. Only other addition will be some sort of slim covers for the handguard to keep the "FAL" looks.
Reciever and handguard height difference (very small difference) You can also see the "ledge" extending from the reciever, above the piston spring and below the "bridge" of the handguard at the front of the reciever.
Yes, the Makasi really does use standard AR15 barrels, to include the standard gas port size.
As stated above, the biggest issue with swapping barrels is needing to drill the barrel for the 3/16 roll pin the gas block uses. I provided links in this thread to the specific tools used, it's not hard at all.
I was able to install the Rise Armament LE145 trigger without any issues. Fit and function seem fine. I'll be taking it out to shoot in the next few days, I'll post here if I have any issues.
I will say, the original Fire Control Group it came with looks just like a mil spec AR15 FCG. I own multiple ARs, and I don't see any differences between the two.
Just finished a range trip with it. Shot 200 rounds of M193 and some 77 grain AAC at 2550 FPS.
Didn't have any issues in regards to the disconnector referenced in your post, the drop in trigger I used functioned fine. I had 3 light primer strikes, but I attribute that to the ammo type.
First off, be aware, the PDF owners manual that Makasi uses has an issue. It has 2 pictures in it showing the suppressed and unsuppressed settings, these pictures are backwards. The "unsuppressed" pictures of the setting is actually the "suppressed" setting, and vice versa. As a result, I started shooting the M193 on the suppressed setting, the gun still cycled reliably, but the ejection pattern was at 4:30-5:00, and it wouldn't lock back on an empty mag. Once I realized the setting issue (it had been in the back of my mind as when I disassembled the gun doing the barrel swap, I had made note of the actual hole sizes in the gas plug) I removed the handguard and set it to the correct "unsuppressed" setting.
After dealing with that, the gun ran both types of rounds without issue, ejection was around 2:00-3:00, and everything fed reliably. Handguard did get warm, but not to the extent that it was unusable. (I was shooting barehanded, no gloves).
I had 3 light primer strikes with the AAC ammo, but I attribute that to the ammo itself (AAC is blinking ammo, got it from Palmetto State Armory on a sale, also why it has a lower FPS than normal 77 grain).
I did have brass striking the outside of the upper reciever when ejecting. I'll probably get a velcro square, or rubberized piece and attach it on that area to protect the reciever.
It's a proprietary handguard. The upper reciever has a square rectangle that sticks out the front of the receiver, just above the piston access hole. The rectangle slides into a recessed rectangle on the handguard when you slide it on. It acts as an alignment guide and anti rotation tab for the handguard.
I haven't confirmed yet, but the receiver might be slightly taller than a standard AR15 receiver, so swapping in an AR15 handguard might not be feasible.
I've got a delta ring coming, and an extra Magpul carbine handguard in my spare parts bin. The Magpul handguard might be tall enough to clear the piston, but I'll have to cut away part of the delta ring for it to fit. Will experiment when all parts arrive.
I just need to understand if their Quadrail is going to be available for order. I saw they have a FDE quad rail on their videos and stuff. But how do we source them??
They have the rails available as spare parts on they're website. I didn't see an option regarding size (they make a carbine length rail for the pistol version, standard version is a 12 inch rail) would probably need to specify size in the order comments. I do believe they offer color options.
Would it be possible to get a height measurement of the gas block please? Just curious if I can use a Superlative Arms Piston kit with a standard AR barrel in the Makasi upper.
Can we also get the length of the back of the barrel nut (or receiver face) to the first groove where the handguard screws go in? Hopefully it's the same as a 416 handguard (if it is, would be pretty easy to just mill out a tab in the receiver to fit a nice 416 handguard).
Got the measurements and pics. For barrel nut, it's 5/8 of an inch from the back of the barrel nut to the center of the first slot. You can make this measurement longer if you use barrel nut shims.
For the gas block, total height from bottom to top is 1 & 5/8 inch. Pics are below, angle makes the measurements look weird, did the best I could. The measurements I listed are accurate.
Thanks for getting back to me with all of the pics and measurements! Doesn't look like anything I want to do with it is easily done... They made it too damn proprietary...
Bonus pic, I've got a Superlative Arms piston gas block on an AR. Pic is a side by side. Superlative Arms piston gas block sits lower than the Makasi piston gas block.
Also, the Superlative Piston is a smaller diameter than the Makasi piston.
Took some aluminum channel, cut and filed down a small piece to sit in my Delta Ring cut out. Piece is sandwiched top and bottom between the bottom of the rail and the barrel nut, and the cut ends of the Delta Ring spring press in on both sides of it with the handguard installed, so retention isnt an issue. Shot 50 rounds through it to verify function with my added piece and with the handguard, no issues, it cycled fine. Cleans up the looks, doesn't affect function. Midwest Industries 2 piece drop in rail fits with the modified delta ring, however the Makasi reciever height is slightly taller than standard AR15. I've currently got an extended height front sight post on order to make up for the difference in sight height. Height difference isnt noticeable unless you look right at where the reciever meets the rail.
The rifle feels REALLY good with this handguard and stock set up. Weighs in right at 7 pounds unloaded.
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u/Bull-RunTheJewels Jun 23 '26
Post pics please!