Makasi MK15 Canada live firing review part 1

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Makasi MK15 Canada live firing review part 1

I sneaked out during the business hours - unfortunately the range didn't have the fixture and even a flat floor for proper zeroing and precision shooting. So I just ran some drills.

First of all, I don't have fancy ammo - I ran Federal bulk 223 and XM855. the most common ammo available.

Right off the bat, the "unsuppressed" setting doesn't cycle the rifle unsurpassed at all - the manual screenshot is here:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-mk15-first-impression-canada-review.2582085/

Maybe it is really for launching rifle grenades?:cool: I was suspicious because the rifle was shipped in the "suppressed" setting, so I brought the hex key with me. So that cut down some of my range time to unscrew the hand guard and change the gas setting to "suppressed".

After putting the gas setting in "suppressed" that the rifle ran with some hiccups - It took about 15 rounds for the rifle to "break in" and then it ran without any issue for the next 160 rounds.

Within the 160 rounds, the rifle could not have the BGC locked open in the last round with Fed 223 bulk. It would do with XM855. The rifle is pretty tame shooting, this tells me the factory is going just a hair or two above being under gassing to please the american social influencers or the recoil springs are too stiff. So more rounds down range is probably needed to wear the spring down a bit. Temp is about 26 degrees C.

The reason I stopped at 160 rounds because I forgot to bring gloves, and it got too hot - The gas system is the old school AR18 style that vents under the hanguard behind the gas block. I had the same experience with the old PWS long stroke gun Now you know why HK416, CZ Bren and MCX vent to the front......

And of course the bolt release wrecked my knuckle when I manipulated the charging handle.

So overall, the gun works but it could be a bit ammo sensitive in the beginning. That's probably what happened to the Grass blade guy whoever that did the youtube who complained about BGC binding - I think the springs need to be worn in and that's probably what the factory did by pouring rounds through it to break it in.

I haven't shot any semi guns since for awhile - the fastest split time I got today is 0.17s. I pounded through the 160 rounds doing double pairs and the gun got pretty hot. So yeh the rifle works and it shoots and handles like the beloved banned A and R. It pointed the same way and I adjusted the folding stock one click down from the factory to get back the same chin wield.

After the range session, I checked the handugard cross bolts and the hairpin on the gas regulator. They were still in place and were tight. Because this is a push rod gun, the cam pin recess also shows a bit more wear than regular AR. This is normal.

So basically, other than the funky gas regulator that doesn't drive with the manual, everything is good to go.

more pictures of the rifle here:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...irst-impression-canada-review-part-2.2582413/




IMG_7074.jpegIMG_7078.jpegIMG_7081.jpeg
 
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The key question is answered - it works after some break in and nothing broke in the process. When I got sometime I do want to interrogate the manufacturer about the manual and the gas regulatorl. Right now this is it.
 
The key question is answered - it works after some break in and nothing broke in the process. When I got sometime I do want to interrogate the manufacturer about the manual and the gas regulatorl. Right now this is it.
some guns need breakin to work properly. This is a great start. Have you tried to switch gas regulator back to regular setting during first 160 rnds ?
 
some guns other than HK, FN, COLT defence, LMT, KAC, Colt Canada, beretta defence IWI Steyr Swiss arms Glock need breakin to work properly. This is a great start. Have you tried to switch gas regulator back to regular setting during first 160 rnds ?
Fix it for ya. No, enough time spent on adjusting this and that already . Now it is all pouring bullets through it

Hopefully this gives people some idea what they can expect
 
It seems the gas settings shown in the manual are inverted. Another user had the same issues with suppressed vs unsuppressed, with the vertical position being unsuppressed in reality. For reference: https://www.falfiles.com/threads/brigade-manufacturing-makasi-fal-ar-hybrid-rifle.485006/

View attachment 1154815
Hmmm, and so on the suppressed setting the gas imparts less pressure on the piston and without the can present, there's insufficient gas to work the action?
 
It seems the gas settings shown in the manual are inverted. Another user had the same issues with suppressed vs unsuppressed, with the vertical position being unsuppressed in reality. For reference: https://www.falfiles.com/threads/brigade-manufacturing-makasi-fal-ar-hybrid-rifle.485006/

View attachment 1154815
That makes sense as it indicates the gas flowing from the barrel into the gas block. When it's turned to the other position, it shows as the gas being blocked.
 
Depending whether they re-size the gas port for NR barrel or just slap on a longer barrel and drill the gas port the same, the extra barrel length and dwell time on the NR version will make it cycle with more authority.
 
That makes sense as it indicates the gas flowing from the barrel into the gas block. When it's turned to the other position, it shows as the gas being blocked.
That's also what MAC's video shows. The large gas port (unsuppressed) is in use when the slot is oriented vertically. Turn it 90 degrees and the small gas port is used.

standard.jpgsuppressed.jpg
 
That makes sense as it indicates the gas flowing from the barrel into the gas block. When it's turned to the other position, it shows as the gas being blocked.
That's what I immediately thought as well. A suppressed setting cuts the amount of gas/pressure being fed into the system since the suppressor (unless it's a flow through design) adds pressure into the system. Would make sense that was GT thought was unsuppressed is actually the suppressed setting and vice versa.
 
I appreciate you sharing your experience and continuous updates. Maybe it's late but reading everything here has me confused on the gas setting. Assuming every MK15 is like yours, does the gas need to be touched or not? This review doesn't exactly instill confidence, doesn't sound awful either. Am I out to lunch to expect a 2500 dollar rifle to "just work"?
 
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