r/canadaguns • u/BATFREEMAN • Aug 05 '26
Misc Makasi upgrades?
So we all know there are mixed reviews on the Makasi. Some people say it’s a great rifle, while others say it’s a “180 cope gun.” As someone who has pre-ordered one, I’m definitely a little nervous.
On a more positive note, maybe we can put together a list of upgrades that could improve the platform?
For a possible handguard upgrade, I’ve seen that the VLTOR CASV-EL may be a good fit.
From my understanding, the barrel can be replaced with an AR-15 carbine barrel with some modification.
The dreaded oversized pin that seems to fall out also looks like it could be replaced fairly easily.
Does anyone have any other ideas to improve the platform? The bones seem solid, and with quite a bit of AR compatibility, I think there’s a lot of potential here.
TLDR: What parts can we list to improve the Makasi, besides the obvious easy AR-15 upgrades.
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u/BATFREEMAN Aug 05 '26
Also before people chime in, yes in an ideal world the Makasi is perfect and flawless out of the box. Canadians make do with what we get and if you dont want the big fish gun this has the best potential.
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 Aug 05 '26
From my understanding, the barrel can be replaced with an AR-15 carbine barrel with some modification.
Barrel needs drilling of the gas hole, which requires a jig, unfortunately it's not a simple swap.
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u/BATFREEMAN Aug 05 '26
Yeah not simple but something that could be offered somewhat easily by shops like RDSC? Or maybe just a quick job for a gunsmith?
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
Ya absolutely, I hope someone offers prepackaged caliber conversion kits. I would love to get a 7.62x39 kit. I don't want to struggle finding a jig only to use it once, and possibly mess up the barrel.
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u/Cock_ball_dickin Aug 05 '26
They actually are planning one in 7.62x39, I saw a reel a while back of a prototype. Could be cool, I just wish it took AK mags, looks like they’re going for 7.62x39 AR mags instead
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u/PrestigiousStatus711 Aug 05 '26
Wouldn't AR mags be a better option? Then we can use 10 round lar mags
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u/Major-Ad-4288 Aug 05 '26
i think its just a notch in the barrel.
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u/DecentCompetition754 Aug 05 '26
It is, the gas port is GTG as is. Any new barrel will need to be notched for the gas block pin.
Jig needed to do it below.
https://brdengineering.com/shop/ols/products/mk4-universal-gas-block-drilling-jig
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u/DecentCompetition754 Aug 05 '26
Jig I used to drill mine to install a Criterion .223 Wylde 16 inch carbine Hybrid barrel.
https://brdengineering.com/shop/ols/products/mk4-universal-gas-block-drilling-jig
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u/some_guy2024 Aug 05 '26
Honestly, just wait till you have it in hand, put 1k rounds through it and see how reliably it runs and what needs replacement/improvement.
Swapping the handguard strikes me as more of an aesthetics things so run the gun first and see how you like the handguard.
Barrel swaps are about as straightforward as for an AR except that you’ll have to source a NR length barrel with the gas port drilled for a carbine length gas system. They aren’t at all common. You can use a barrel intended for the WS or WK if you can find one or get someone to custom contour one for you.
The only thing I’d change out of the gate is the butt stock because I like stocks with adjustable LOP and a better cheek weld.
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u/Ustauk Aug 05 '26
Neuman Metalworks is making a 1913 folding buffer tube adapter, so that will let you use any AR buffer tube stock.
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u/BATFREEMAN Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
Valid. Personally the handguard is more of a pressing issue for me as it seems to be poorly constructed and secured as well as being out of spec. I’ve also heard the charging handle can get caught under it.
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u/SocksOfDeath Aug 05 '26
I dont think that the VLTOR CASV-EL is made any more, but id love to be proven wrong so I can grab one. I think they look better then the factory handguard.
I have an MPVO, a muzzle brake, and a stock waiting patiently for my Makasi to arrive.
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u/BATFREEMAN Aug 05 '26
I dont think they do but this make this one which is more modernized https://vltor.com/products/casv-el-2
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u/Dootbooter Aug 05 '26
I was thinking of possibly switching to the Carmel. But at the end of the day this is a for fun gun so I'd rather have questionable reliability and great looks over a plastic version of the gun from halo.
I'm mostly just thinking optics. Maybe a different stock of the length doesn't feel right. Other than that it think the gun looks fantastic.
Has anyone heard about their pre orders yet?
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn Aug 05 '26
And the carmel looks aweful imo. We have all 3 556 offerings on the way/instore.
Carmel was supposed to be end of August. First Makasi's should be any day now tm*
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u/IndependentGlum9674 Aug 05 '26
whats the third option?
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn Aug 05 '26
Backland Hunter Comp from Crusader. Cheapest of the bunch, but its Crusader. Though they are working hard to fix their image issues and are offering, and acting upon, a vortex style lifetime no questions asked warranty.
(Theres a few gun fluencers on instagram like shoc_dvc and 313operator who have videos on em if you want to see more, shocs gun ran great out of the box, 313 needed warranty but talks about how painless/good the process waa)
Of the 3 i think the crusader has the best curb appeal, and is at the lowest price point. (And if the makasi is having similar/worse qc issues then it might be a better option IF Crusader keeps up their customer service momentum, since theyre on this side of the border)
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u/BATFREEMAN Aug 05 '26
I came to the same conclusion, i’m a big reliability guy but the carmel is heavier, a little ugly, and doesn’t have the same parts compatibility.
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u/yummybunnybear Aug 05 '26
I'm getting both the Makasi and Carmel so I can't afford any upgrades for the Makasi. I'm just gonna take the Makasi out and see what it does and take some photos with attachments from my banned rifles and call it a day.
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u/Weak-Coffee-8538 Aug 05 '26
I can't wait to tinker with mine and run a ton of different ammo through it.
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u/Bull-RunTheJewels Aug 05 '26
What optics are you guys going to put on the Makasi? I am thinking Red dot magnifier combo of some sort.
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u/BATFREEMAN Aug 05 '26
Shoutout to u/DecentCompetition754
Tons of good info here especially on the hand guard and specs
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u/escv_69420 Aug 05 '26
The Ripley Rail is the obvious choice for the HG to receiver pic rail mismatch.
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u/old_rug Aug 06 '26
honestly i wouldent want to make it better, i would want to make it worse with wood furniture to make my perfect cope FAL
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u/Major-Ad-4288 Aug 05 '26
3d printed ACR stock in Carbon fiber. eotech 512 for optic. maybe a 1-6. magpul gen 2 mags, slingster sling.
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u/GKND__95 Aug 05 '26
I really hope some Canadian manufacturers build / modify aftermarket parts for this. The QC issues I’ve seen mostly seem to be with external components like the handguard, charging handle, barrel nut, how the tapping was done etc - all easily fixed with the right parts. The most pressing fix IMO is the pic rail - I want to have confidence my optic will hold zero. Everything I’ve seen RE reliability of the action, accuracy still seems workable, especially since it uses some AR internals.
I just couldn’t bring myself to go with the Carmel because of the pencil barrel that can’t be easily changed, and the rifle still weighing a ton.