Kriss Vector Gen 2 CRB 9mm - Good Value? Overpriced? Good Marketing?

[thegazelle]

Hello:

I am seriously considering getting this today...

https://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/kriss-vector-gen-ii-crb-enhanced-9mm-18-5-black.html

The reviews I have seen online seem overwhelmingly positive. However, the price everywhere seems to be in this price range....which will make it the most expensive gun I have ever purchased (I know there are many more expensive guns out there but I don't have deep pockets).

What I like: it is in 9mm, takes glock magazines, the recoil / muzzle jump is significantly mitigated. The takedown seems really easy, even for a non-handy guy like me. It is also different - looks different, and apparently comes in its own case. It is Swiss made, and I like most things Swiss made.

What I don't particularly like: the price.

For anyone here who owns it - what is your feedback? Build quality? Support? Performance quality? Worth the price? I know there are other PCCs out there cheaper.

I looked through this forum and have seen occasional posts on this gun with regards to some parts, but nothing really close to a comprehensive review of the 9mm version.

 

[Foxer2373]

I’m in the same boat! It’s this or a Benelli m4, I’ve been debating buying the Kriss .22 when a limited edition comes available to scratch the itch at half the price, but then I still need a 9mm rifle lol. Hard life choices.

 

[thegazelle]

M4 is nice! I would have the same con on that one (price). This may like buying a more expensive car without test driving the car first for me with the Kriss. It's not like firearms are like a Costco merchandise return. Then again, if I were to buy a more expensive car, it's not like I can return if I didn't like it. However, unlike a car, firearms can keep their value over time. I was going to go to my local gun store to just buy some ammo, a mag and some rail pieces today... Other things to consider is like many guns we see - it's out of stock at many retailers. And of course there is always the chance the government may kibosh the gun and add to a list down the road (which would stink if the price paid allowed only for limited time use before it becomes a museum piece).

 

[gunrunner100]

I bought one last summer. Great rifle, lots of fun. Zero issues with it.

 

[thegazelle]

So I ended up getting this last night...fun experience, though now my kids will be eating cat food for the foreseeable future and I will need to downgrade my internet to dial-up...

So first impressions - it looks really sharp, feels solid. Weight is not too bad. Magpul flip up sights are nice, though I bought a Vortex Strikefire 2 and mounted it. But I really do like the open sights.

Charging handle takes a while to get used to - it flips up and pulls back, but in my view, there is significant pressure that has to be applied to pull it back. Also the bolt release / lock is a flat flip switch and it was really stiff. It does lock automatically when chamber empty.

There is a small picatinny rail extension on the underside - I bought a BCM gunfighter grip to put on it, which then keeps your hand away from that bolt release/lock switch nearby as well as keep the hands away from the mag release button - if I didn't get the grip I would likely accidentally press the mag release or the bolt lock since that's the only area where the non trigger hand can go (if you are right handed).

The rifle comes in a nice hard carrying case with Kriss embossed logo, along with accessories such as a snake cleaning brush and a lock (as well as an OEM Glock 17 mag) and a decent instruction manual. Unfortunately the case is really geared towards a stock configuration, so if you put optics (which I did) or a grip on the front (which I did), it won't fit into the case.

There is an additional Kriss barrel shroud (I think that's the term) extension that can go onto the rifle - there are additional two screw holes on each side to mount this (I thought the screw holes were for picatinny rail extensions) - but the extension is over $150, so I may think on that one, since I would buy it just to get a side picatinny rail (I am inquiring if they just sell that as a separate piece.

Dry firing it - trigger is heavier, but manageable. Safety is ambidextrous and easy to maneuver.

Stock extends and I believe it has multiple locking points.

I took out the 4 pins to take the receiver apart and have a look at the innards - it really seems fairly straight forward, even for a dummy like me. This is good because while I can take apart most things, putting them back together is the problem. In this case, this gun seems to be very easy to take apart and put back together.