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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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u/DecentCompetition754 Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
Update:
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.