Description

Key Features

4x Single-Pass Capacity

The extra-large 3-3/4 inch cut depth at 90 degrees lets this rear handle circular saw cut 4x material in one pass. That saves time on framing and reduces the need to flip material mid-cut.

Cordless Framing Power

Makita’s brushless motor runs at 4,000 RPM and is built for high-demand cutting without a cord. For framers and builders, that means strong cutting speed with less setup hassle on site.

Lighter Magnesium Build

The die-cast magnesium base, blade guard, and blade cover keep weight down while holding up to jobsite use. At 13.3 lbs. with battery, it is easier to manage than many corded rear handle saws.

Overview

The Makita GSR02M1 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless Rear Handle 10-1/4 Inch Circular Saw Kit is a cordless rear handle circular saw kit built for high-demand framing and heavy lumber cutting. This is a circular saw designed for single-pass cutting in thick framing material, roof work, and general construction. Model Number: GSR02M1. If you want the feel and capacity of a full-size rear handle saw without dragging a cord around the jobsite, this is the setup Makita built for that job.

The headline feature here is the 3-3/4 inch cutting capacity at 90 degrees. That gives you enough depth to cut 4x material in a single pass, which matters on posts, beams, blocking, and other framing stock where extra handling slows the work down. The brushless motor spins at 4,000 RPM, so this saw is not just about depth, it is also built to keep cut speed up under load. Makita also pairs that with Automatic Torque Drive Technology, which adjusts cutting speed under load for better real-world performance when the material gets tougher.

The Makita GSR02M1 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless Rear Handle 10-1/4 Inch Circular Saw Kit is set up the way rear handle saw users expect. You get a large 10-1/4 inch blade, a 5/8 inch arbor, and bevel capacity up to 56 degrees, with positive stops at 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees. That gives framers and roofers the range they need for common angle work without overcomplicating the saw. At 45 degrees it cuts up to 2-3/4 inches deep, and at 56 degrees it still manages 2-1/8 inches, so it stays useful even when the cuts get more demanding.

Makita kept the structure practical. The die-cast magnesium base, blade guard, and blade cover help trim weight while keeping the saw durable enough for site use. The complete saw weighs 13.3 lbs. with battery, which is a big deal on a tool in this class because rear handle saws can wear you out fast over a full day. The onboard offset wrench speeds up blade changes, and the retractable extra-wide tool hook gives you a better way to park the saw between cuts instead of laying it wherever there is room.

Jobsite behavior matters just as much as raw specs, and this saw checks the right boxes. The electric brake helps keep work moving by stopping the blade quickly after the cut. Makita’s Extreme Protection Technology is built around internal sealing designed to improve operation in dusty and wet jobsite conditions. That matters when you are cutting outside, working around framing dust, or moving between rough stages of a build where tools take more abuse than they do in a shop.

This kit runs on the Makita 40V max XGT platform, which is the company’s heavy-duty cordless system for higher-demand tools. XGT tools and batteries use digital communication to monitor performance and protection, including overload, over-discharge, and overheating. The system is also designed around more consistent power delivery for high-current applications, which fits a large circular saw better than a light-duty battery setup would. This kit includes a 4.0Ah XGT battery and Rapid Optimum Charger, so you are not buying a bare tool and then chasing the rest of the system later.

Runtime is solid for actual framing work. Makita rates it for up to 150 cuts per charge in 4×4 SPF lumber on a single 4.0Ah battery. As always, actual cuts depend on material and blade condition, but that gives buyers a clear idea of what the saw is meant to do: serious structural cutting, not trim work. The saw is also AWS capable, which means it can support Makita’s Auto-Start Wireless System with the separate transmitter for wireless communication with a compatible dust extractor.

Who should buy it? This is for framers, builders, roofers, and carpenters who want rear handle saw capacity in a cordless platform. It also makes sense for contractors already invested in Makita XGT batteries who need a circular saw for heavy framing, forming, and cutting thick stock where a smaller blade saw starts to feel undersized. If your work is mostly sheet goods or light trim, this is more saw than you need. If you regularly cut dimensional lumber, 4x stock, or roof framing material, this one earns its keep.

At a Glance

3-3/4 in.

Cut Capacity at 90°

4,000 RPM

No-Load Speed

56°

Max Bevel

13.3 lbs.

Weight with Battery

Makita GSR02M1 Circular Saw Cutting Capacity That Matters

This saw is built around the kind of capacity that changes how you work. Instead of working around the limits of a smaller blade, you can make full-depth cuts in thicker framing stock with one tool and one pass.

• 3-3/4 inch max cutting capacity at 90 degrees
• 2-3/4 inch capacity at 45 degrees and 2-1/8 inch at 56 degrees
• 10-1/4 inch blade and 5/8 inch arbor for full-size rear handle saw work

What’s in the Box

• (1) Makita GSR02Z 40V max XGT Brushless Rear Handle 10-1/4 Inch Circular Saw, AWS Capable
• (1) Makita BL4040 40V max XGT 4.0Ah Battery
• (1) Makita DC40RA 40V max XGT Rapid Optimum Charger
• (1) 10-1/4 Inch 24-Tooth C.T. Circular Saw Blade (E-07272)
• (1) Offset Wrench (782016-4)
• (1) Side Handle
• (1) Tool Bag

Key Specifications

Voltage (V)	40V max
Battery Platform	XGT
Blade Diameter	10-1/4 in.
Arbor Size	5/8 in.
No-Load Speed (RPM)	4,000 RPM
Cutting Capacity at 90°	3-3/4 in.
Cutting Capacity at 45°	2-3/4 in.
Cutting Capacity at 56°	2-1/8 in.
Maximum Bevel	56°
Positive Stops	22.5°, 45°
Overall Length	19-1/4 in.
Weight (lbs)	13.3 lbs. with battery
Power Source	Cordless
AWS	Capable, transmitter sold separately

Compatibility

Battery Platform

Compatible with Makita 40V max XGT Lithium-Ion batteries.

Charger System

This kit includes the Makita DC40RA XGT Rapid Optimum Charger for the 40V max XGT battery platform.

AWS Dust Extraction

AWS capable for wireless on-off communication with a compatible Makita dust extractor when used with the Auto-Start Wireless Transmitter, part no. 198901-5, sold separately.

Blade Interface

Uses a 10-1/4 inch circular saw blade with a 5/8 inch arbor.

Built For

Framing Construction Roofing Forming Carpentry General Contracting 4x Lumber Cutting Heavy-Duty Cordless Sawing

Pro Tip

If you are buying this saw for framing, keep a sharp full-size blade on it and use the single-pass 4x capacity to your advantage. That is where the Makita GSR02M1 saves the most time compared to stepping down to a smaller cordless circular saw.

Warranty & Support

3-year limited warranty on the tool, battery, and charger.

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Big Rear Handle Power Without the Cord

The Makita GSR02M1 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless Rear Handle 10-1/4 Inch Circular Saw Kit is the kind of saw that makes sense when a standard cordless sidewinder starts feeling undersized.

• Who it’s for: Framers, roofers, builders, and carpenters who want true rear handle circular saw capacity for 4x lumber and structural cuts.
• Why it stands out: The 3-3/4 inch depth of cut, 4,000 RPM brushless motor, magnesium build, and full XGT platform support make it a serious cordless replacement for corded framing saws.
• Worth knowing: This is a full-size heavy-duty saw, not a light trim saw. If your work is mostly plywood or finish material, it is more tool than you need, but for framing it is right in its lane.

Common Questions

• What battery platform does this saw use? It uses the Makita 40V max XGT battery platform.
• Can it cut 4x material in one pass? Yes. It has a 3-3/4 inch cutting capacity at 90 degrees, which allows single-pass cutting in 4x material.
• Does this saw support wireless dust extractor startup? Yes. It is AWS capable, but the Auto-Start Wireless Transmitter is sold separately.
• How fast does the blade spin? The Makita brushless motor delivers a no-load speed of 4,000 RPM.