Makita GRJ02M1 40V max XGT Brushless AVT Orbital Recipro Saw Kit (4.0Ah) review

The GRJ02 saw in a one-battery XGT kit

GRJ02M1 is the kit configuration of Makita's full-size 40V max XGT brushless AVT orbital reciprocating saw. It shares the GRJ02 body and operating specifications with the tool-only GRJ02Z, but it is a separate purchase package. The U.S. model page lists one 4.0Ah BL4040 battery, a DC40RA rapid charger, one reciprocal-saw blade and a tool bag alongside the saw. That exact list is why the M1 is a meaningful kit alternative; do not infer the same contents from a GRJ02Z listing or assume another seller's bundle matches it.

The format is for two-handed rough cutting and demolition work, not tight-space one-handed trimming. Makita lists a 1-1/4-inch stroke, variable speed from 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute, a 10-inch wood capacity with a 12-inch blade, and 5-1/8-inch pipe capacity. The manual's capacity guidance depends on the blade and workpiece. A maximum dimension is not a promise about cut rate, finish or suitability in every material. Select a blade for the actual stock, secure it, check what lies behind the cut, and keep the shoe in contact as the manual directs.

Package value depends on your battery shelf

The included 4.0Ah XGT pack and DC40RA charger make this a ready-to-power kit if those are the components you need. If you already own compatible XGT batteries and a listed charger, the GRJ02Z tool-only package may avoid duplicate power equipment. Makita describes XGT as its 40V max system; it is not the same as an 18V LXT platform. Verify battery and charger compatibility in the GRJ02 manual, and check the suffix on the actual box before relying on the included-pack list.

Makita reports a 10.7 lb saw weight with battery sold separately, while the GRJ02 manual gives a 10.1–12.8 lb net range depending on battery and attachments. The page does not provide a bare-tool figure for this exact kit. Its with-battery number is neither the bare saw mass nor a complete kit carry weight: the charger, bag, blade and spare accessories add their own weight. This is why the strict bare-tool limit in the finder cannot be satisfied by treating the published battery-on value as if it were tool-only.

Controls and tradeoffs

The GRJ02 has an on/off orbital mode for more aggressive wood cutting and a straight action option for other work. The manual describes orbital action as generally suitable for softer materials, while warning that material shape and hardness matter. A separate speed dial lets the operator set one of five ranges, with a variable trigger for control. The tool-less blade lever, six-position shoe adjustment, dual LED lights, retractable hook and electric brake are all documented convenience features. The shoe's positions help expose a less-worn blade section; they do not replace steady contact, appropriate blade reach or secure work support.

Makita promotes AVT as reducing vibration and says the tool delivers the power of a 15-amp corded saw. Those are manufacturer descriptions, not measurements from this review. Its “up to 40% faster” claim likewise depends on Makita's comparison conditions, which are not recreated here. Read the manual before using orbital action or choosing speed, isolate the battery before servicing the blade, and use eye and hearing protection appropriate to the task.

Who should choose the M1 package

The GRJ02M1 is a stronger fit than the Z configuration when the buyer specifically needs a battery and charger in the exact kit and wants a general full-size saw with orbital action. It is a weaker fit for a weight-constrained carry where a known bare-tool mass is required, for a user already invested in another battery system, or for pipe work where a chain vise is central to the task. Makita's GRJ02Z tool-only review explains the shared saw body, while the separate GRJ03Z pipe-saw assessment covers a specialized clamping arrangement. Check the current seller's exact model, battery condition, charger identity, blade type, bag inclusion and return terms; this source-based review makes no price or availability claim. No hands-on use, timed test, ownership or measurement was performed.