The Kriss Vector: thoughts, pictures & observations (range report added on post 26)
I picked this restricted-length Kriss Vector in the EE this week. I'd hoped to shoot it this weekend but the weather has but the damper on that so i thought I'd take a few pictures and post my initial thoughts on the firearm—many of you are already familiar with the firearm but if, like me until recently, you're less familiar, then read on!
I was looking for something new in a Black Rifle--I've owned a bunch of ARs in numerous barrel lengths, as well as a couple of FS2000s and Tavors. I've been aware of the Kriss Vector for a few years and knew a bit about it and its unique recoil reduction system but I had not given them much thought. The other pistol-calibre carbines I'd tried left me a little unsatisfied with their "clunk-clunk" feel of the recoil, but the unique design of this one intrigued me, and the fact that it uses Glock 21 magazines meant that I already had five 10-round magazines for it. There are non-restricted versions as well, but since there's no Crown Land shooting in Nova Scotia and I do all my shooting on the range, the restricted one works fine for me—and I also like the handiness of the shorty barrel better. I know that a 5.56mm carbine makes more sense is a real-world shooting situation, but unless my life takes a dramatically unexpected turn, I'm only shooting paper! (and, within 50m there are far worse firearms than a.45ACP carbine to have).
The carbine is 24" long (with the stock unfolded) and weighs 5.6 lb so it's a chunky little beast. Mine came with a Tapco vertical foregrip that was mounted to the lower rail but the magwell is nicely grooved to be used as a fore-grip and that allows easier access to the magazine release while shooting.
The trigger pull is fairly light but a little creepy and mushy—not a big deal since I don't imagine I'll be taking any 300m shots with it! The charging handle operates surprisingly stiffly, but from what I've read that's not uncommon.
The folding stock locks firmly open but does have just a little flex when snugging the carbine in tightly. The little swoop in the stock is to allow for ejection while the stock is folded.
In the picture below, you can see the mag release above the grooved portion of the fore-grip, and above that the bolt release/hold open. Immediately below the "Kriss Vector" logo is the charging handle. I'm using a Trijicon RMR in an America Defence QR mount—I've used this sight on an FS2000 and a Tavor but its small size and light weight make it seem perfectly at home on the Vector. The 5.5" barrel is threaded for suppressor use in places that allow it.
So far, nothing really out of the ordinary compared with other pistol-calibre carbines. But the pictures below starts to show the difference. The polymer upper and steel lower receivers can be separated by removing four pins. You can see the hammer with integral firing pin on the upper receiver about an inch to the left of the trigger guard—it's in the cocked position. It's "upside down" and pivots at its top.
and here is the bolt and bolt carrier/breech block removed from the lower receiver.
This shows the key to the recoil reduction (or more precisely, muzzle jump) system. As the bolt recoils rearward, its movement through the slanted grooved slots at the top of the bolt carrier force the bolt carrier downward in the lower receiver (through the section with the big "V" logo), counteracting (hopefully!) the muzzle jump. I had been under the impression that there were some pivoting parts within the mechanism but only two sliding parts that travel in straight lines, or "vectors" if you will.
The placement of the barrel very low in the receiver should also help minimize muzzle rise.
Here's a close up of the bolt—the lugs on either side aren't locking lugs as this is a delayed-blowback firearm. They're used for positioning within the receiver's grooves.
I've got a bunch of .45 ACP ammunition arriving next week so I'm hoping to get out to the range next weekend. I'll post my results then!
I picked this restricted-length Kriss Vector in the EE this week. I'd hoped to shoot it this weekend but the weather has but the damper on that so i thought I'd take a few pictures and post my initial thoughts on the firearm—many of you are already familiar with the firearm but if, like me until recently, you're less familiar, then read on!
I was looking for something new in a Black Rifle--I've owned a bunch of ARs in numerous barrel lengths, as well as a couple of FS2000s and Tavors. I've been aware of the Kriss Vector for a few years and knew a bit about it and its unique recoil reduction system but I had not given them much thought. The other pistol-calibre carbines I'd tried left me a little unsatisfied with their "clunk-clunk" feel of the recoil, but the unique design of this one intrigued me, and the fact that it uses Glock 21 magazines meant that I already had five 10-round magazines for it. There are non-restricted versions as well, but since there's no Crown Land shooting in Nova Scotia and I do all my shooting on the range, the restricted one works fine for me—and I also like the handiness of the shorty barrel better. I know that a 5.56mm carbine makes more sense is a real-world shooting situation, but unless my life takes a dramatically unexpected turn, I'm only shooting paper! (and, within 50m there are far worse firearms than a.45ACP carbine to have).
The carbine is 24" long (with the stock unfolded) and weighs 5.6 lb so it's a chunky little beast. Mine came with a Tapco vertical foregrip that was mounted to the lower rail but the magwell is nicely grooved to be used as a fore-grip and that allows easier access to the magazine release while shooting.
The trigger pull is fairly light but a little creepy and mushy—not a big deal since I don't imagine I'll be taking any 300m shots with it! The charging handle operates surprisingly stiffly, but from what I've read that's not uncommon.
The folding stock locks firmly open but does have just a little flex when snugging the carbine in tightly. The little swoop in the stock is to allow for ejection while the stock is folded.
In the picture below, you can see the mag release above the grooved portion of the fore-grip, and above that the bolt release/hold open. Immediately below the "Kriss Vector" logo is the charging handle. I'm using a Trijicon RMR in an America Defence QR mount—I've used this sight on an FS2000 and a Tavor but its small size and light weight make it seem perfectly at home on the Vector. The 5.5" barrel is threaded for suppressor use in places that allow it.
So far, nothing really out of the ordinary compared with other pistol-calibre carbines. But the pictures below starts to show the difference. The polymer upper and steel lower receivers can be separated by removing four pins. You can see the hammer with integral firing pin on the upper receiver about an inch to the left of the trigger guard—it's in the cocked position. It's "upside down" and pivots at its top.
and here is the bolt and bolt carrier/breech block removed from the lower receiver.
This shows the key to the recoil reduction (or more precisely, muzzle jump) system. As the bolt recoils rearward, its movement through the slanted grooved slots at the top of the bolt carrier force the bolt carrier downward in the lower receiver (through the section with the big "V" logo), counteracting (hopefully!) the muzzle jump. I had been under the impression that there were some pivoting parts within the mechanism but only two sliding parts that travel in straight lines, or "vectors" if you will.
The placement of the barrel very low in the receiver should also help minimize muzzle rise. Here's a close up of the bolt—the lugs on either side aren't locking lugs as this is a delayed-blowback firearm. They're used for positioning within the receiver's grooves.
I've got a bunch of .45 ACP ammunition arriving next week so I'm hoping to get out to the range next weekend. I'll post my results then!
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