Description

Key Features

Fast Framing Cuts

The brushless motor spins at 6,400 RPM, so this rear handle circular saw stays productive in sheet goods, framing lumber, and general jobsite cutting.

One-Pass 3X Capacity

With a 2-9/16 in. max cutting depth at 90 degrees, it handles 3X material in a single pass, which saves time when you do not want to flip stock.

Built for Jobsite Use

The magnesium base keeps weight manageable at 11.7 lbs. with battery, while XPT protection and an electric brake make the saw more practical for hard daily use.

Overview

The Makita GSR01M1 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless Rear Handle 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw Kit is a cordless rear handle framing saw built for high-demand cutting where you want corded-style performance without dragging a cord around the site. This is a rear handle circular saw designed for framing, sheet goods, and general construction cutting. Model Number: GSR01M1. For builders, framers, roofers, and carpenters who want a powerful cordless saw on the Makita XGT platform, this kit gives you the saw, a 4.0Ah battery, charger, blade, wrench, and bag in one package.

The big story here is cutting speed and capacity. Makita rates the brushless motor at 6,400 RPM, which helps this circular saw move quickly through common framing and sheathing materials. The 2-9/16 in. cutting depth at 90 degrees means it can cut 3X material in a single pass, which matters when you are working with thicker dimensional lumber and want a cleaner, faster workflow. That kind of capacity makes this saw more than just a cordless substitute. It is built to be a primary cutting tool on active jobs.

Makita also built practical control into the saw. Automatic Torque Drive adjusts cutting speed under load, so the tool responds when the cut gets heavier instead of feeling bogged down too early. On the job, that translates into steadier performance when you hit denser lumber or longer rips. The electric brake helps speed up repetitive cuts by stopping the blade quickly once you let off the trigger. That is a real productivity feature, especially when you are moving from cut to cut instead of waiting on blade coast-down.

From a build standpoint, the magnesium die-cast base is one of the details that makes sense immediately. You get a lighter platform without giving up the durability expected from a framing saw. Makita lists the saw at 11.7 lbs. with battery, which is easier to manage over a full day than many heavier corded-style alternatives. The onboard offset wrench storage is another small but useful touch. Blade changes are faster, and the tool carries what you need instead of sending you back to the truck.

This saw is also made for real jobsite conditions. Makita’s XPT protection is designed to improve resistance to dust and water in harsh environments by channeling it away from key internal components. That does not mean the saw is indestructible, but it does mean the platform was clearly designed with outdoor framing, roofing, and general construction use in mind. If your tools live in sawdust, damp mornings, and unfinished spaces, that kind of protection matters.

As part of the Makita 40V max XGT system, the GSR01M1 fits into a battery platform meant for higher-demand cordless tools. Makita calls out the digital communication between tool, battery, and charger, along with overload, over-discharge, and overheating protection. In plain terms, the system is built to manage power delivery and battery health under heavy use. If you are already on XGT, this is an easy fit. If you are moving toward a full cordless jobsite, this is the kind of saw that makes that transition make sense.

The included 4.0Ah battery and rapid charger make this a ready-to-work kit rather than a bare tool entry point. That matters for buyers who need to put the saw to work right away. You are not buying the saw and then chasing down the right battery, charger, or blade afterward. For crews standardizing around a battery platform, or for a serious DIY user stepping into a pro-grade framing saw, that bundle makes the purchase simpler and more complete.

Who should buy it? This Makita rear handle circular saw makes the most sense for framers, builders, roofers, forming crews, remodelers, and carpenters who want a cordless 7-1/4 in. saw with strong capacity and less weight than some traditional corded options. If most of your work is light trim or occasional homeowner cuts, it may be more saw than you need. But if you spend your day cutting framing lumber, subfloor, sheathing, and construction materials, this one lands in the sweet spot of power, capacity, and platform value.

At a Glance

6,400 RPM

No-Load Speed

2-9/16 in.

Cut Depth at 90°

40V max

Battery Platform

11.7 lbs.

Weight with Battery

Rear Handle Power for Framing Work

This layout is built for users who prefer the balance and feel of a rear handle circular saw when cutting framing lumber and panels. It is the kind of saw you reach for when a sidewinder feels less planted in longer cuts.

• 7-1/4 in. blade with 5/8 in. arbor
• Brushless motor rated at 6,400 RPM
• Electric brake helps speed up repeated cuts

Battery Platform That Matches the Saw

The included 40V max XGT 4.0Ah battery is part of the system design, not an afterthought. Makita built XGT around higher-demand tools, so the battery, electronics, and tool are meant to work together under load.

• Includes one 40V max XGT 4.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery
• XGT system communication helps monitor overload, over-discharge, and overheating
• Compatible with Makita 40V max XGT batteries

Ready to Work Out of the Box

This is a true kit, which means less downtime getting set up. The charger is included, the blade is included, and the bag is included, so you can charge up and start cutting instead of piecing the system together.

• Includes Makita DC40RA Rapid Optimum Charger
• Charger uses digital communication during charging
• Dual-fan cooling is designed for faster, more efficient charging

What’s in the Box

• (1) Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Rear Handle 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw (GSR01Z)
• (1) 40V max XGT 4.0Ah Battery (BL4040)
• (1) 40V max XGT Rapid Optimum Charger (DC40RA)
• (1) 7-1/4 in. 24T C.T. Circular Saw Blade (B-61656)
• (1) Offset Wrench (782016-4)
• (1) Tool Bag

Key Specifications

Voltage (V)	40V max
Battery Platform	Makita XGT
Blade Diameter	7-1/4 in.
Arbor Size	5/8 in.
No-Load Speed (RPM)	6,400 RPM
Max Cutting Capacity at 90°	2-9/16 in.
Max Cutting Capacity at 45°	1-3/4 in.
Max Cutting Capacity at 53°	1-1/2 in.
Weight (lbs)	11.7 lbs. with battery
Overall Length	17-1/2 in.
Motor Type	Brushless
Power Source	Cordless

Compatibility

Battery Platform

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

Charger System

Includes the Makita DC40RA Rapid Optimum Charger for the XGT battery system.

Blade Interface

Uses a 7-1/4 in. circular saw blade with a 5/8 in. arbor.

Built For

FramingConstructionRoofingCarpentryGeneral ContractingRemodelingSheet Goods CuttingDimensional Lumber

Pro Tip

If you regularly cut 3X stock, keep the included offset wrench in its onboard storage and swap in a fresh 7-1/4 in. blade before the saw starts working harder than it should. On a high-speed framing saw like this, a sharp blade makes the tool feel stronger and tracks straighter.

Warranty & Support

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

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Makita GSR01M1 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless Rear Handle 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw Kit Gets the Important Stuff Right

This is the kind of cordless framing saw that makes sense for pros who want real capacity, fast cuts, and a complete XGT kit instead of a stripped-down bare tool.

• Who it’s for: Framers, builders, roofers, and carpenters who want a rear handle circular saw with enough depth for 3X lumber and the freedom of cordless operation.
• Why it stands out: You are getting 6,400 RPM, a 2-9/16 in. cut at 90 degrees, a magnesium base, electric brake, and a full kit with battery and charger on Makita’s 40V max XGT platform.
• Worth knowing: This is a purpose-built jobsite saw, not an entry-level homeowner tool. If you do occasional light cuts, it may be more tool than you need. If you cut framing material every day, it is right in its lane.

Common Questions

• Is this a cordless or corded circular saw? It is a cordless rear handle circular saw powered by the Makita 40V max XGT battery system.
• What size blade does it use? It uses a 7-1/4 in. circular saw blade with a 5/8 in. arbor.
• Can it cut 3X material in one pass? Yes. Makita lists a 2-9/16 in. maximum cutting capacity at 90 degrees, which allows single-pass cutting through 3X material.
• Is it compatible with Makita XGT batteries? Yes. It is compatible with Makita 40V max XGT Lithium-Ion batteries.