r/canadaguns • u/DecentCompetition754 • Jun 23 '26

Gun and gear reviews Makasi barrel swap info

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.

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u/Dill_Pickle_Tears Jun 24 '26

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)

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u/DecentCompetition754 Jun 24 '26 edited 7d ago

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.

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u/Dill_Pickle_Tears Jun 24 '26

Ahh so it should be swappable then???!