“Vector: a geometric quantity that possesses both magnitude and direction.” If you have kids or grandkids, you likely recall that quote from ‘Despicable Me’ and the villainous character who went by that name. For others, their introduction to “Vector” came from elsewhere.
When I returned home from the gun shop, having picked up the KRISS USA Vector pistol featured here, I thought I was going to impress by my youngest son Zach, then a teenager. Walking into the family room where Zach was seated on the couch with an Xbox controller in his hand, I set the case down on the table, retrieved the pistol from it and asked him, “What do you think?”
Zach looked over his shoulder, took it in and replied, “Oh, the Vector. Cool.” He then returned to his in-progress game. I hadn’t told my son what I was getting and had never owned one before. KRISS USA was a relatively new company at the time and their Vector .45 ACP submachine guns, pistols, and carbines hadn’t been available for very long.
I pressed him, “How do you know what it is?” To which he replied matter-of-factly, “That gun’s in Call of Duty, Modern Warfare.”
I had to laugh. How did I think I was going to impress a teenager with a cutting edge, 21st Century pistol when he had already used it to defeat the bad guys on COD?
Vector Submachine Guns
My first exposure to KRISS USA and the Vector line was on a police range in Mississippi. Representatives from KRISS had Pelican cases containing genuine Vector submachine-guns and magazines and, most importantly, a case of .45 ACP hardball to shoot. Despite being relatively lightweight and firing a .45 ACP cartridge, felt recoil and muzzle rise on full auto were comparatively mild. My first thought was, “This thing runs like a sewing machine.” The full-auto RPM is nearly 1200. There is also a 2-shot burst option in addition to the single shot setting.
The excellent controllability in full auto is possible because of the engineering genius that is the “Super V” operating system. When the gun fires, the bolt operates on delayed blowback principle. However, unlike most firearms that align the recoil spring and bolt 90 degrees to the shooter’s body, the Vector system directs the recoil down. As the bolt cycles it moves rearward and then down against the stout recoil spring. A fresh round is stripped from the magazine and the bolt is driven back up and forward. This design has proven to be both simple and extremely effective.
KRISS Vector .45 ACP Pistol
While technically classified as a “pistol” or “handgun” for AFT reasons, the Vector .45 ACP is not likely to be your EDC gun. I suppose it falls into the PDW category like the Springfield Kuna or the Taurus RPC. I have had the Vector pistol featured here since 2011 and it is a Gen 1 having been available before the modern 9mm and 10mm versions.
In addition to the modern, space-age external appearance, the engineers and KRISS quite intelligently built the action around the GLOCK 21 magazine pattern. Every KRISS .45 ACP firearm can be fed with a standard GLOCK 21 thirteen round magazine. The folks at KRISS built an extension kit to modify existing G21 magazines and turn them into 30-round versions. The system is simple and it works well. If you have standard G21 mags, you can purchase extension kits from KRISS USA.
In our modern world the surest way to kill or at least tremendously limit the potential of a new magazine-fed firearm is to build one around a unique, proprietary magazine. Let’s face it, in our modern world, we have already figured out the tech for dependable/reliable magazines, regardless of caliber. Other than ego getting in the way, there is little reason to attempt to reinvent the wheel at this point in the game. This is particularly true when trying to get people interested in a new gun design.
The bolt lock/release lever, the charging handle and the magazine release button are located on the left side of the pistol where your support (left) hand can operate them. The manual safety is ambidextrous and located where your shooting hand thumb can reach it. As you would expect, the ejection port is on the right side.
An M1913 Picatinny style rail runs the entire length of the top of the pistol and my gun came with flip-up/fold-down adjustable sights in the AR-style. There is also a rail section under the barrel for accessories. The barrel is 5.5 inches and threaded and the overall length in pistol configuration is 16.75 inches. That brings me to the aftermarket addition.
You already looked at the photos and have come to realize that I had a stabilizing brace installed on the pistol after I got it. The brace hardware was installed by a competent gunsmith employed by my FFL dealer. There was originally a sling loop at the rear of the upper receiver where the brace now resides. The gunsmith added a KRISS USA sling loop to the pistol in place of one of the four HK-style takedown pins.
Speaking of which, complete disassembly for cleaning and lubrication can be done on the stock pistols by pushing out four HK pins. No special tools are needed. The bolt is removed from the action by turning it 90 degrees. Minus the takedown pins, the entire gun disassembles into four major components for cleaning, that’s it.
Range Time
You are naturally going to want to have a good supply of 230 FMJ or ball ammo on hand when you hit the range as I did. However, I discovered through my testing that the Vector .45 ACP will indeed run jacketed-hollowpoint and other types of controlled-expansion bullets. In addition to the American Eagle FMJ ammo from Federal Cartridge, I ran a variety of .45 ACP from Black Hills and Double Tap ammo.
I zeroed the red dot optic affixed to the rail for 15 yards and we were off and running. Putting rounds on paper ensures that the gun is zeroed and hitting the mark, but steel is more fun. Over the years I have acquired enough steel to keep range sessions enjoyable and shooting the Vector is certainly an enjoyable experience, especially with the stabilizing brace on it.
Parting Thoughts
While the .45 ACP version was the first one out of the gate in an effort to appease the American gun buyer, the Gen 2 and Gen 3 models now come in 9x19mm and 10mm Auto. Both naturally use GLOCK pattern magazines. In addition to the pistol configuration, you can purchase a 16-inch barreled carbine with stock or go the SBR route and register a KRISS SBR version now for free.
No, they aren’t cheap. If you are looking for a cheap gun you should look elsewhere. In a world where every other gun seems to be either an AR clone or a GLOCK clone, the uniquely and intelligently designed Vector is a standout in the crowd.
Paul G. Markel is a combat decorated United States Marine veteran. He is also the founder of Student the Gun University and has been teaching Small Arms & Tactics to military personnel, police officers, and citizens for over three decades.