Makita GRJ01M1 40V max XGT Brushless Recipro Saw Kit (4.0Ah) review

The Makita GRJ01M1 is the kit configuration of the full-size GRJ01 40V max XGT reciprocating saw. Makita's U.S. page lists the GRJ01Z saw body, one BL4040 4.0Ah battery, a DC40RA charger, one reciprocating-saw blade and a tool bag. That list makes the M1 package distinct from the GRJ01Z tool-only SKU. This review is based on the exact kit page, GRJ01 manual and GRJ01 parts breakdown; no physical use, cutting test, timing or independent weight measurement was performed.

What makes the M1 package useful

The practical advantage of the M1 is not a different saw mechanism; it is the explicitly documented power package. A battery and charger are listed with the tool, so the buyer does not have to source those two essentials separately if the offered box matches the maker's exact list. The blade and bag are also included on that page. Check the M1 suffix and verify each component in the seller's current offer. Retail listings sometimes reuse family photographs or titles, and a similar-looking GRJ01Z listing is not the same box contents. The local image depicts a kit, but the written item list—not the pixels—is the source for the inclusions.

The supplied pack is a single 4.0Ah XGT BL4040. That is a specific configuration, not a promise of a particular runtime. Makita's page describes up to 145 cuts per charge in 2-by-10 SPF lumber using the 4.0Ah battery, but this is a manufacturer claim and not a result tested here. Material, blade, battery condition, technique and cut setup all affect work. Buyers who already own compatible XGT packs may find a tool-only package more aligned with their inventory; the M1 is aimed at a different purchasing task.

How the GRJ01 body operates

Makita specifies a 1-1/4-inch stroke and two no-load ranges: 0–2,300 SPM in low and 0–3,000 SPM in high. The variable trigger adjusts speed within the selected range. The manual recommends low speed for harder materials such as metals and high speed for wood, while warning that a high setting may reduce blade life in some materials. Match the blade to the material and read the full instructions; these figures are not cut-rate measurements.

The kit's saw does not have selectable orbital action. The exact specification says orbital settings: No. If orbital motion is essential to the intended job, the M1 should not be selected simply because a related Makita XGT saw has that feature. The GRJ02 family does document orbital and straight-line modes, and the separate GRJ03 is a chain-vise pipe saw. Those differences are mechanism-specific rather than kit variations.

The GRJ01 has a tool-less blade-release lever and a shoe that the manual says can be reset in six positions. Makita describes this as repositioning the shoe to use an unworn part of a blade. The available sources do not state a pivot-angle range. Follow the manual's setup sequence: switch off and remove the battery before any adjustment or blade change, clear chips from the clamp, seat the blade fully, and check the lock. During cutting, press the shoe firmly against supported material. Secure the workpiece; do not hold it against your body. Inspect for nails and hidden plumbing or wiring, and verify clearance beyond the material so the blade cannot strike a floor or workbench.

Capacity and mass are not universal promises

The maker lists maximum capacity of 10 inches in wood with a 12-inch blade and 5-1/8 inches in pipe. These are labeled capacities, not a guarantee for every blade, material, angle or access condition. The included blade is identified only as one reciprocating-saw blade in the package list; the source does not name its length or material application. Confirm that the supplied blade is suitable, and budget for a different compatible blade when the work calls for one.

The page's 9.9 lb figure is with a battery. The GRJ01 instruction manual gives a 9.3–9.9 lb net range depending on battery and attachments, not a bare-tool measurement. The kit's bag, charger, battery and blade add carrying weight beyond the saw figure, and the page does not provide a complete package mass. The strict bare-tool-weight finder field therefore remains unknown. Overall length is listed as 18-5/8 inches on the product page, with manual length varying by installed battery. If overhead fatigue, reach or case storage is a deciding constraint, do not use the battery-on or shipping dimensions as a substitute for an exact tool-only figure.

Who should compare this kit?

GRJ01M1 suits a buyer who wants the GRJ01's full-size XGT saw and specifically needs a battery, charger, blade and bag in the same documented package. It is a weaker match for an existing XGT owner seeking only the saw, a Makita LXT user, someone who requires orbital action, or someone who cannot accept an unknown bare-tool weight. Compared with GRJ01Z, the saw body is shared while the package changes; compared with GRJ02M1, the M1 uses the earlier GRJ01 body and lacks documented orbital action. Confirm the exact SKU, XGT compatibility, blade application and seller box list before buying. Published claims can help screen fit, but they do not establish current availability, personal comfort or results on your material.