r/canadaguns 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/CDN_Datawraith 25d ago edited 25d ago

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).

2

u/DecentCompetition754 25d ago

Give me a few days, I'm currently away. When I make it back home, I'll post pics with the measuring tape.

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u/CDN_Datawraith 25d ago

All good, no rush! I appreciate the work you're putting in with all of our questions!

2

u/DecentCompetition754 22d ago

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.

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u/CDN_Datawraith 20d ago edited 20d ago

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...

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u/DecentCompetition754 22d ago

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.