Brigade Mfg. Makasi MK-15 Construction and Accuracy Review

Overall, a pretty positive long(er) term review! Needless to say, this fella's 2-year report is great news for those of us still pursuing a Makasi pre-order, so it is much appreciated. Notwithstanding the issues with tight MLOK dimensions on the Handguard, the rifle has delivered the reliability and 2 MOA bulk-ammo accuracy required of an AR substitute. The owner reports that the Makasi is fun to shoot with negligible recoil. His substitution of the Buttstock for a Right-side folder, a new Trigger and Safety, and a Pistol Grip of his choosing are demonstrative of the rifle's modularity.

Minor QC issues with the Handguard aside, it sounds like the Makasi is good to go as a 5.56mm//223 cal semi-auto utility rifle. I for one am excited at the prospect of kitting out my rifle and hitting the range with a selection of test ammo whenever it arrives. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but later is fine so long as the rifles arrive with the previously-reported issues properly addressed.
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20 rounds actually visibly fired, no reloads on camera and no image of the target tells me there is a lot being left out of the video on purpose.

He's blaming front end heaviness on the "extra weight on the barrel with the gas system" and then "If its your only option than it's great".

If he can't even identify that the rifle is front heavy because of the barrel length and it's profile and not from the gas block/gas tube ............

Cope video from a clueless person to put it simply.
if he was reviewing an AR-15 you would say the same thing. point is he likes it and cared enough about the rifle to make a video about it. i hope you make a video so i can comment on it.
 
Overall, a pretty positive long(er) term review! Needless to say, this fella's 2-year report is great news for those of us still pursuing a Makasi pre-order, so it is much appreciated. Notwithstanding the issues with tight MLOK dimensions on the Handguard, the rifle has delivered the reliability and 2 MOA bulk-ammo accuracy required of an AR substitute. The owner reports that the Makasi is fun to shoot with negligible recoil. His substitution of the Buttstock for a Right-side folder, a new Trigger and Safety, and a Pistol Grip of his choosing are demonstrative of the rifle's modularity.

Minor QC issues with the Handguard aside, it sounds like the Makasi is good to go as a 5.56mm//223 cal semi-auto utility rifle. I for one am excited at the prospect of kitting out my rifle and hitting the range with a selection of test ammo whenever it arrives. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but later is fine so long as the rifles arrive with the previously-reported issues properly addressed.
For a long term review, it's quite a low round count. In his October 10, 2023 video, Joel A mentions he put 340 rounds through the rifle. Today's video claims a total round count of less than 800. That's fewer than 460 rounds over nearly 3 years. Not a demanding firing schedule to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate his effort to share his observations specifically for us Canadians.

At the same time, you can't neglect his negative impressions found in his collection of videos. Concerning QC issues, his rifle shipped without the gas block pin. The cerakote on the rifle is too thick which made the safety selector difficult to use and perhaps causes the out-of-spec M-LOK rails. The trigger out of the box averaged a trigger pull over 10 lbs. The gas block vents excessively and heats up quickly.

As long as Brigade Mfg. corrects the reliability issues and Canadians are willing to disregard any deficiencies, I understand why the Makasi may be more compelling than the IWI Carmel. AR15 parts compatibility is a huge plus but can also be a huge cost for those who aren't sitting on spare parts from our safe queens. Also cool to see the Magpul UCS stock on Joel A's rifle as I know a few CGNers are going that route.
 
the out-of-spec M-LOK rails
Are the rails on your rifle marked with the MLOC logo?

I ask because if not, then there are no expectations that they meet spec and that they didn't get the license (free) to use it.
That might give them an "out" as far as specs, but it causes issues if they're advertising it as an MLOC rail.

Either way, I'm going in with both eyes open to the issues, no small part to your review on the gun. Thanks for that.
 
I realized I'd rather buy a quality bolt action

Nothing wrong with that. Priorities shift and change with time and ####ty government policy. I have spent stupid (for me) money on two of my precision rifles, both of which cost me well over $12K each. But given current restrictions on the use of semi-automatic centerfire "utility" rifles, guess what I spend the most time shooting these days? Those 2 expensive precision rifles, of course!

What're you looking at for a base action/rifle? What kind of build are you planning - Hunting? Precision? Hybrid? What about Optics?
 
off topic here but out of respect. I went tikka ctr 6.5cm 20" blued. I'd have gone stainless if you can still get it. Couldn't resist for $1355. Something I can try federal + peak withtout tears. burris creedmoor redical even tho that is out the window now with + peak

Burn the barrel if I can and one day rebarrel... rebarrel, chassis ect
 
off topic here but out of respect. I went tikka ctr 6.5cm 20" blued. I'd have gone stainless if you can still get it. Couldn't resist for $1355. Something I can try federal + peak withtout tears. burris creedmoor redical even tho that is out the window now with + peak

Burn the barrel if I can and one day rebarrel... rebarrel, chassis ect
Excellent rifle choice!
 
off topic here but out of respect. I went tikka ctr 6.5cm 20" blued. I'd have gone stainless if you can still get it. Couldn't resist for $1355. Something I can try federal + peak withtout tears. burris creedmoor redical even tho that is out the window now with + peak

Burn the barrel if I can and one day rebarrel... rebarrel, chassis ect
The tikka CTR are nice…
 
off topic here but out of respect. I went tikka ctr 6.5cm 20" blued. I'd have gone stainless if you can still get it. Couldn't resist for $1355. Something I can try federal + peak withtout tears. burris creedmoor redical even tho that is out the window now with + peak

Burn the barrel if I can and one day rebarrel... rebarrel, chassis ect
I just bought the same one. Just got delivered yesterday 🤟
 
My stock CTR Barrelled Action in a KRG Whiskey Gen 6 Chassis. It prints sub-MOA groups out to 500m with Match 140gr ammo. They are tack-drivers with a 1 MOA factory guarantee. You've gotta like that! And as you noted, if you wear out a Barrel shooting hot loads, you just re-barrel with a pre-fit and carry on....


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My stock CTR Barrelled Action in a KRG Whiskey Gen 6 Chassis. It prints sub-MOA groups out to 500m with Match 140gr ammo. They are tack-drivers with a 1 MOA factory guarantee. You've gotta like that! And as you noted, if you wear out a Barrel shooting hot loads, you just re-barrel with a pre-fit and carry on....


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thats pretty sweet. i ended up going for the 308 sako 85 carbonlight with a swarovski 1--6. good mountain gun. spray painted the #### out of it so the deer don't see it.
 
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