Makasi barrel swap info

[u/DecentCompetition754]

I'm down in the U.S.

Just picked up the 16 inch version.

Can confirm, multiple parts are interchangeable with AR15 parts.

I personally swapped the standard trigger with a Rise Armament LE145 drop in trigger.

[https://risearmament.com/product/rise-armament-le145-trigger/\](https://risearmament.com/product/rise-armament-le145-trigger/)

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.

[https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-platform/ar-15/ar-15-hybrid-barrel-carbine-gas-chrome-lined/?v=0b3b97fa6688\](https://criterionbarrels.com/products/ar-platform/ar-15/ar-15-hybrid-barrel-carbine-gas-chrome-lined/?v=0b3b97fa6688)

While the Makasi uses AR15 barrels, they are drilled and pinned. I used the following Jig to drill the new barrel myself. BRD engineering MK4.

[https://brdengineering.com/shop/ols/products/mk4-universal-gas-block-drilling-jig\](https://brdengineering.com/shop/ols/products/mk4-universal-gas-block-drilling-jig)

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.

[https://www.mcmaster.com/product/2868T37\](https://www.mcmaster.com/product/2868T37)

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.

[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPQ689XD?ref\\_=ppx\\_hzod\\_title\\_mob\\_b\\_fed\\_asin\\_title\\_0\\_0\](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPQ689XD?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_mob_b_fed_asin_title_0_0)

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.

[https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09VYFV9VV?psc=1&ref=ppx\\_pop\\_mob\\_b\\_asin\\_title\](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09VYFV9VV?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)

[https://stormwerkz.com/stock-adapters/yugo-m92-m85-adapter-type-4/\](https://stormwerkz.com/stock-adapters/yugo-m92-m85-adapter-type-4/)

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.

[u/s0viet_mini]

Lot of people have the big question up here-
How does it run? Is it reliable?

We have had quite the string of unreliable shitrods when they were legal. Was it worth the money for you?

Thanks for any advice

[u/DecentCompetition754 → u/s0viet_mini]

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.

All in all, I'm happy with how it performed.