The Makita roofing nailer, sold as the AN454, is a 5.2 lb pneumatic coil nailer built for asphalt shingles, felt, and insulation board, driving wire-collated coil nails from 3/4 inch to 1-3/4 inches at 65 to 120 PSI. This review pulls the published Makita specifications together with aggregated owner sentiment from retail listings and contractor forums. We have not bench-tested this unit in a lab, so the durability and jam-rate notes below reflect what owners report, not our own instrumented testing.
If you want the ranked field rather than one model, start with our best roofing nailer roundup. This page is the deep single-model verdict on the Makita AN454 specifically: where it wins, where owners get burned, and who should skip it.
Is the Makita AN454 roofing nailer worth buying?
The Makita AN454 is a solid mid-priced pneumatic coil roofing nailer for crews and DIY re-roofers who already run an air compressor and want a light tool with a carbide-tipped nose that survives abrasive shingle grit. It earns its keep on weight and build quality. The recurring knock is feeding: a share of owners report double-fires and jams, usually tied to nail quality, coil seating, or a dirty magazine.
Buy it if you value a light, serviceable pneumatic body and can tolerate occasional feed fussiness. Skip it if you want a hose-free tool, in which case a battery model is the better fit. Makita does not currently sell a cordless roofing nailer, so the AN454 is its only entry in this category.
Makita AN454 specifications
The AN454 is a 15-degree wire-collated coil nailer with a 120-nail canister and tool-less depth adjustment. It accepts .120 inch shank diameter coil roofing nails and runs on a standard 1/4 inch air inlet. The figures below come from Makita’s published product data and major retailer listings.
| Specification | Makita AN454 |
|---|---|
| Tool weight | 5.2 lb |
| Nail length range | 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in |
| Nail shank diameter | .120 in |
| Collation | 15-degree wire coil |
| Magazine capacity | Up to 120 nails |
| Operating pressure | 65 to 120 PSI |
| Drive speed | Up to 3 nails per second |
| Depth adjustment | Tool-less |
| Nose | Carbide inserts, steel wear plates |
| Housing | Aluminum |
| Air inlet | 1/4 in NPT |
| Warranty | Makita 1-year limited (pneumatic), typical |
To feed it correctly, match your compressor to the tool. A single roofing nailer wants a compressor that recovers fast at 90 to 100 PSI. See our guide to the best air compressor for roofing before you pair a hose to this gun.
How much does the Makita roofing nailer cost?
Makita AN454 pricing moves with retailer and condition, so treat any single number as a snapshot. New units have listed anywhere from the low $200s to over $300 depending on seller, while factory-reconditioned models have appeared closer to $155 to $175. Check current listings at the moment you buy, because roofing tool prices swing seasonally.
The reconditioned route can cut the price meaningfully, but confirm the warranty terms, since refurbished coverage often differs from new. Pricing here is directional and not a quote.
Pros and cons of the Makita AN454
The AN454 trades on a light aluminum body, an abrasion-resistant nose, and easy reloading. Its weak point is feed consistency under some owners’ conditions. Here is the balance as reported.
Pros
- Light at 5.2 lb, easy to swing overhead through a full day on the deck
- Carbide nose inserts and steel wear plates built to survive shingle grit
- Tool-less depth adjustment for flush setting without a wrench
- 120-nail canister and quick reload reduce downtime between coils
- Some owners report it outlasted their prior Bostitch or Hitachi units
Cons
- A share of owners report double-fires and jams, often when the magazine is full
- Feed reliability appears sensitive to nail quality and coil seating
- Corded pneumatic design ties you to a hose and compressor
- No first-party cordless option from Makita in this category
Who the Makita AN454 is best for
The AN454 fits re-roofers and small crews who already own a compressor and want a durable, light pneumatic nailer at a mid price. It is a strong pick for asphalt shingle tear-offs and re-covers where speed and overhead handling matter more than going hose-free.
It is a weaker choice for the occasional homeowner who does not own a compressor, or for anyone chasing a fully cordless kit. If you are new to coil nailers, read how to set feed and depth in our coil roofing nailer setup guide so early jams do not get blamed on the tool.
Makita AN454 vs pneumatic and cordless rivals
Against its closest pneumatic rivals, the Makita sits between the lighter Bostitch RN46-1 and the heavier Metabo HPT NV45AB2 on weight, with all three sharing the 3/4 inch to 1-3/4 inch nail range and 120-nail capacity. The bigger fork is pneumatic versus cordless: a battery nailer drops the hose but adds weight and cost per tool.
| Model | Type | Weight | Nail range | Typical street price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita AN454 | Pneumatic coil | 5.2 lb | 3/4 to 1-3/4 in | Low $200s (new) |
| Bostitch RN46-1 | Pneumatic coil | 4.9 lb | 3/4 to 1-3/4 in | ~$270 |
| Metabo HPT NV45AB2 | Pneumatic coil | 5.7 lb | 7/8 to 1-3/4 in | ~$300 |
| DeWalt DCN45RN | Cordless (20V) | Heavier, no hose | 3/4 to 1-3/4 in | Tool-only premium |
For the head-to-head on the lightest pneumatic option, see our Bostitch RN46 roofing nailer review. If you would rather ditch the hose entirely, our best cordless roofing nailer guide covers the battery field, including the DeWalt DCN45RN. Pricing in the table is directional and should be verified against current listings.
How we reviewed the Makita AN454
This is a specification and sentiment review, not a lab test. We compiled Makita’s published specs, cross-checked figures across major retailer listings, and summarized aggregated owner feedback on reliability, jamming, and durability. Where owner reports conflict, we say so rather than pick a side.
We did not run instrumented jam-rate or fastener pull-out testing on this unit. Treat the durability and feeding notes as a synthesis of what buyers report, weighted toward patterns that show up repeatedly across sources.
Frequently asked questions
What size nails does the Makita AN454 roofing nailer use?
The Makita AN454 uses 15-degree wire-collated coil roofing nails with a .120 inch shank diameter, in lengths from 3/4 inch to 1-3/4 inches. That range covers standard asphalt shingle, felt, and insulation board fastening. It does not fire plastic-collated or larger framing coils, so match your nails to the wire coil spec.
How much does the Makita AN454 roofing nailer weigh?
The Makita AN454 weighs 5.2 lb, which places it between the lighter 4.9 lb Bostitch RN46-1 and the heavier 5.7 lb Metabo HPT NV45AB2. The aluminum housing keeps it swingable overhead through a full shift. Weight matters most on steep or long runs where fatigue drives up nailing errors late in the day.
What air pressure does the Makita roofing nailer need?
The Makita AN454 operates at 65 to 120 PSI and drives up to 3 nails per second. Most roofers run it near 90 to 100 PSI for consistent flush set on shingles. It uses a standard 1/4 inch air inlet, so it pairs with any common portable roofing compressor that recovers quickly under continuous nailing.
Is the Makita AN454 reliable, or does it jam?
Owner feedback is mixed. Many report zero jams and note it outlasted a prior Bostitch or Hitachi, while others describe double-fires and jams, often when the magazine is full. Reported jams frequently trace to nail quality and coil seating. We have not lab-tested jam rates, so treat this as aggregated sentiment rather than a measured figure.
Makita AN454 vs Bostitch RN46: which is better?
Both are pneumatic coil roofing nailers with a 3/4 to 1-3/4 inch range and 120-nail capacity. The Bostitch RN46-1 is slightly lighter at 4.9 lb versus 5.2 lb, while some owners credit the Makita with better longevity and a tougher nose. Choice often comes down to price at purchase and which feed behavior you trust. Our Bostitch review covers the trade in detail.
Does Makita make a cordless roofing nailer?
Makita does not currently offer a first-party cordless roofing nailer, so the pneumatic AN454 is its only roofing-nailer option. If a hose-free tool is the priority, the cordless field is led by models like the DeWalt DCN45RN. Battery nailers cost more per tool and weigh more, but remove the compressor and hose from the roof.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed August 2026.