Of all the pinners now on the market, this one is the best. As a finish carpenter, I've used all of them a whole big bunch. We now have four of these pinners, and buy more any time we find a good deal on one.
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br /The anti-dry-firing mechanism is one of this pinner's best features. The adjustable air exhaust works very well. The pinner consistently sinks nails in any material - from 3/4" MDF to hard maple to the hardest rain forest woods. The side hook is very handy for ladder work. And the plastic tip really does protect the work from pressure dents (just don't push too hard!).

I was initially very happy with this seemingly well designed nailer. After about 1000 1" brads the piston began to stick, even with oiling before each use. I too removed the rear housing to see what the issue was. I manually pulled the piston rearward, cleaned and oiled the chamber and reassembled. It worked fine until the driver blade shattered, this with less than 1500 brads shot. I called the U.S. Makita service center to order the part, and amazingly this part was on backorder due to the demand. I called all over the country looking for this part, and everyone was out. I finally found the part I needed, paid the 35$ and replaced the part. 300 brads later the O-ringed piston connecting to this new part failed. That was last night, so today (4-28) I will go and purchase another nailer, obviously not a Makita. I use tools of all kinds on a daily basis, I am very particular about tool quality, design and feel. I thought Makita had a great tool, but I have more than been let down, I have not persued this with Makita because I have owned the tool longer than the factory warranty. I would recommed against purchase of this tool. Makita knows they have a defective design, it would do them well to issue a recall.

I was looking into buying either this nailer or the porter cable one. After doing my research i found that this one had better features and also great reveiws in WOOD Magazine. All and all ive had no problems with it and would recomend it to everyone.

Like a few other reviewers I have had simmilar experiences with his gun. I am carpenter by trade and am very particular about my tools. They have to work well, be as versatile as possible, and be reliable. This tool constantly jams and with 1 3/4" and 2" brads, it rarely completely sinks the nails. This tool is in great shape and has been well cared for, oiled, and stored in its case. There may be a few good guns out there, but with the mixed results found in these reviews, I would not take the chance on another one. I also would not recommend it to anyone. Try a MAX, Senco, or PC...something with a well proven track record.

I'm a big fan of Makita. When this nailer was introduced it was given rave reviews by several woodworking magazines. So when the need arised for a nailer I plopped down the cash with out a whimper. (This tool costs a good third more than other name brand nailers). I used it for several small projects, the first one trimming off a bedroom in early 20th century fashion with no problem. The Nailer set idle (in its case in a heated shop) for several months. When I began using it again the piston stuck (yes I oiled it per the manual). I took it apart, inspected it, found nothing obviously wrong and re-assembled it. Of course it worked perfectly for several more sessions. Then it started sticking, and more often. (And of course it was out of warranty by then). So considering this tool has shot less than 1000 brads I cannot say I am satisfied.
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br /With the exception of this tool I have never been disappointed by a Makita product.