When it comes to choosing from the various firearms platforms, it can be hard to choose just one. If you’d like to get the best of two or more worlds, it’s worth checking out hybrids. One of the latest hybrid designs to hit the commercial market comes from Brigade Manufacturing in the form of the Makasi. It is a rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO that offers features from both the AR and FAL platforms for a unique yet somehow familiar end result.
The Masaki is designed to be a highly maneuverable, portable rifle. It is a hybrid platform offering features that should appeal to a broad number of gun owners. It has a 16-inch barrel and 12-inch handguard, making it short enough to handle well in close quarters while maintaining solid ballistics.
A bufferless folding stock makes the platform easier to transport and also lighter weight. Regarding the lack of a buffer in the stock, the Makasi is a short-stroke piston rifle with the recoil spring contained in the upper. Thanks to that, the gun can be fired with the stock folded or extended. Other features include the rail being quad-sided, a textured pistol grip, and an FAL-style side charger.
Thanks to the full-length Picatinny rail on the Makasi it’s easy to mount whatever optic, magnifier, or light the shooter desires. Because this is a quad-rail handguard, it’s also possible to add other aftermarket accessories on multiple surfaces. This is a highly customizable rifle that Brigade states will be available with myriad options for different configurations.
Features of the Brigade Manufacturing Makasi include:
- 5.56 NATO chambering.
- 16-inch barrel.
- 12-inch, quad-sided handguard.
- Full-length Picatinny rail for optics, magnifiers, and other add-ons.
- Checkered pistol grip for a better hold even with wet hands.
- Folding stock for portability and maneuverability.
- Buffer-free with recoil spring in upper, so it can be fired with the stock folded.
- Approximate overall weight of 7.5 pounds.
- Side-charging design similar to that of the FAL platform
MSRP for the Brigade Manufacturing Makasi is projected to be around $1740.95.
