Please remind me again, what are the necessary QC upgrades? Some people are getting the Restricted version already assembled in April, but delayed with 3rd party importers due to no child-entry FRT yet (for 10.5" bbl lenght).
None of the QC upgrades is "necessary" in the strictest sense of the word, since most of the issues such as the Charging Handle impinging upon the Handguard and sticking in the forward position, have tended to self-adjust with time. In the case of the Charging Handle and Handguard, those that experienced the sticking problem also noted that it eventually went away when the Charging Handle had bent the end of the Handguard underneath itself. In any case, here are the QC issues that some of the Restricted Makasi owners have reported:
1. The Charging Handle impinges on the end of the Handguard, causing temporary sticking until such time as it self-adjusts. There is apparently a fix for this issue incorporated into the newer 18.5" Makasis with the 15" (vice 12") Handguard.
2. The 2 steel Handguard Retention Screws are imperfectly aligned with their slots in the aluminum Barrel Nut, resulting in some "printing" of the screw threads on the forward side of the Barrel Nut grooves. This issue has zero effect on the performance of the rifle. That said, the issue has apparently been addressed in the newer 18.5" Makasis with the 15" Handguard through the use of a steel Barrel Nut.
3. The continuous Picatinny Rails on the Top of the Makasi and at the rear Buttstock attachment point were apparently out of specification, meaning that some optics would be difficult to correctly mount. It is unknown whether this issue has been fully addressed with the new 18.5" rifles featuring the 15" Handguard.
4. There is a break-in period of up to 200 rounds before the rifle's action will cycle fully rearwards to engage the Bolt Catch on an empty Magazine. With one exception (a "Lemon" 16" rifle) all Makasis have eventually delivered excellent reliability with full functionality.
5. Based directly upon the stated preference of some prospective Canadian Makasi owners, the 12" Handguard was extended 15" to better suit the longer Canadian NR 18.5" Barrel.
What is not clear at present is which version of the rifle will be distributed by Gravel Agency. North Sylva has announced that the rifles it will distribute are the newer version with the QC fixes and the 15" Handguard. It is currently unknown which version of the Handguard will be shipped with the guns distributed by Gravel Agency, and whether or not they will have the QC fixes. We will have to await an announcement to that effect by Gravel Agency in order to clarify the situation with regards to Makasi distribution.
