The Kriss Vector is a semi-automatic Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) in 9mm, 357 Sig, 40 S&W, 10MM and 45ACP. The one reviewed here is a Gen 1, but they have since released a Gen 2 as well. The most unique feature of the Kriss Vector is the recoil mitigation system called the “Super V System” that sends recoil at a downward rear angle. It’s $1,899 in Canada, and $1,499 in the US.
Kriss Vector Features
- Bolt hold open/release paddle on left side
- Non reciprocating charging handle
- Uses Glock style mags (Glock 21 mags for the 45 ACP version)
- Ambidextrous safety
- Flat top for optics or included flip up iron sights
- Fake suppressor overtop barrel
- Sliding trigger (I measured mine at 8.5 lb trigger pull)
The interesting thing about the barrel is that it’s made like that in the US as well. Due to regulations around pistols vs rifles, the long barrel of the Kriss that makes it a “rifle” in the US is also very close to what we need in Canada for our Non Restricted class of firearms. So we get a cool fake suppressor that shrouds the barrel: round on the Gen1, boxy on the Gen2.
I’m not really sure why they bothered with the ambi safety when the charging handle, bolt hold open, and magazine release are all left side only. If you’re going to piss off lefties, might as well go all in.
The Kriss Super V System
The Kriss Super V System drives the bolt on a ramp down and to the rear upon recoil. This design results in a few interesting things for a PCC:
- Reduce muzzle climb and recoil
- Reduce the need for a large, heavy bolt (but it does connect to a heavy metal weight)
- Reduced travel
- Bore is very low in relation to your firing hand
- The chamber is pretty far forward compared with your firing hand
- Nothing of much importance is behind the safety, so it’s easy to do a folding stock
The muzzle climb when firing this gun is odd, and the recoil impulse is really interesting. Rather than pushing back and having muzzle rise, the gun just kind of jiggles up and down a bit on firing. It’s very easy to fire rapidly or fire from compromised positions or even with the stock folded.
Kriss Vector Gen 1 vs Gen 2
- Gen 1 uses a sliding trigger (mine was 8.5lbs), Gen 2 uses a hinged trigger that’s lower weight (5.5 lbs)
- Gen 1 uses a folding stock that’s kinda wiggly, Gen 2 uses a M4 style stock that locks up tighter
- Gen 1 uses a round barrel shroud, Gen 2 uses a boxier, sexier shroud
- Gen 1 safety has a 90 degree throw, Gen 2 is only 45 degrees
- Gen 1 comes in any color as long as it’s black, Gen 2 comes in a variety of paint jobs
Uses for the Kriss Vector
Here in Canada, the Kriss Vector would be an OK choice as a PCC for 3 gun or IPSC. The recoil impulse on it is very controllable, allowing for fast double taps on cardboard targets, and it’s ergonomic enough that it’s not going to be a total slouch when you wanna go fast. The mag button is not in an ideal spot for going 100 miles an hour, but everything else is fine.
You could use it for plinking or hunting small game if you’d like. It’s accurate enough that you could shoot rabbits with it, but it’s not as light as a Sub2000 or Aero Survival Rifle so you might not want to haul it around as much, but it is a ton of fun to shoot at a gravel pit. The long barrel along with 45 ACP ammo make for a very mild muzzle blast.
Issues with the Kriss Vector
Note: I didn’t see some of these issues, I’m just compiling issues from online
- Stiff charging handle (mine was stiff enough to be unusable for youth or ladies)
- Failures to feed in Gen 1 (mine was fine)
- Short stroking (mine was fine)
- Picky on ammo
- Mags falling out when using +p ammo
Conclusion
The Kriss Vector is a space gun: both in looks and in technology. It bucks the standard blowback technology for a crazy ramp thing, it looks like it’s out of a sci-fi movie, and it’s well loved in video games because of how different it looks. If you want a non restricted space gun in Canada, check out the Kriss Vector.
