Kriss Vector Gen 3 9mm Review: 900+ Rounds Later

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	Kriss Vector Gen 3 9mm	Check Price

For starters, it was wild for me to think that the Kriss Vector is already in its 3rd rendition during this review. That makes me feel old, and I already get plenty of those reminders at home.

The 3rd Gen Vector aims to fix the biggest complaints with the previous versions while improving the overall design and reliability. A firearm that’s second to none in its uniqueness and helps you truly embrace your inner RoboCop.

I’ve been intrigued by the Vector since the first time I saw it come out almost 20 years ago. While the Vector may have started off as a .45 ACP submachine gun, it has evolved into a platform that supports three different calibers, featuring multiple pistol and rifle designs.

We put our Space Force boots on and dove right into the testing of this Kriss Vector. With the help of some friends, we were able to put nearly 900 rounds of suppressed freedom downrange.

By the end of this blog, you should have a better answer to that question in your head: “Is it worth it?”

The Kriss Vector Gen 3 9mm has quite a few upgrades from the versions of old, including a new M-LOK style handguard system, a 1913 backplate for all your favorite brace or stock upgrades, and a completely interchangeable pistol grip setup.

Coming in three awesome calibers – 9mm, 10mm, and .45 ACP – there’s a round for everyone out there. The Kriss Vectors are known for their “Super V” recoil system that changes everything you know about recoil control. Claiming to have the “lowest bore axis of any firearm in the world,” the combination with the Super V system makes for a pretty impressive recoil impulse.

Made with the end user in mind, the options are limitless on how to set yours up, from a threaded barrel and full top Picatinny rail to a true ambi mag release and safety.

So put on your favorite optic, laser, suppressor, and bufferless stock setup to make this space gun perfect for you.

What got its birth as a door kicker’s SMG, the Vector has made its mark in hearts across the globe. Kriss has listened to its customers and made the necessary upgrades. But with all the upgrades, all the uniqueness, and all that hype, can the Kriss Vector be a reliable firearm to add to your arsenal?

Who wouldn’t want a gun that looks straight out of the Space Force? I remember the original one I saw with the Osprey .45 ACP suppressor and Trijicon MRO. That image is still burned into my brain because of the futuristic look it had when it was first released nearly two decades ago.

The magazines are super cool-looking and give the Vector a little bit more of a pop when it comes to eye-catching appeal. Having the ability to customize the Gen 3 a lot more than the Gen 2s is, I believe, a huge step forward.

Too often, we see companies remain stuck in their ways until they become irrelevant, only deciding to make changes when it’s too late. If you look online, the main issues brought up about previous generations were addressed and upgraded.

That tells me KRISS is actually in the trenches, listening to their buyers and trying to provide the best version of the Vector they can. I love seeing that.

Also, this thing is pretty quiet for how short it is, and it’s one of the most compact SMG or subgun-style setups I’ve ever shot.

We put nearly 900 rounds through the KRISS Vector and ran into a few recurring issues. Right out of the box, the action felt overly stiff, almost like it was fighting itself, and early on, we saw problems like failures to feed, eject, and even a possible squib with a ruptured casing using Hop Munitions 147gr subsonic ammo.

Over the next 600 rounds, still suppressed, we had multiple malfunctions and even magazines dropping while firing. By the second range day, the Vector’s action was even harder to run, and we hadn’t added any oil throughout testing.

After sending the gun to KRISS, they noted the firearm was dirty and needed heavy lubrication, describing the ideal condition as nearly “dripping” with oil.

They also said the bolt and extractor were slightly out of spec and replaced both. With the repaired gun and 200 rounds provided by KRISS, we returned to the range and experienced just one user-induced malfunction.

After reviewing our previous test footage, we realized some of the earlier issues, about five or six, were likely caused by poor support hand placement.

In total, we experienced 12–15 malfunctions across 850+ rounds, with 6–8 likely due to the firearm or ammo. While that’s under a 1% failure rate, the consistency and type of issues stuck with us.

That said, the Vector ran much more reliably after the repair and proper lubrication, and we plan to keep testing it throughout the year to see if the problems resurface.

The Kriss Vector is best suited for someone looking for one of those conversation-starting pieces that help scratch an itch they never knew existed before seeing it.

In the pistol form, the Vector is very manageable to shoot with its Super V recoil system. But with a proper brace, stock, or rifle setup, it becomes an absolute tac driver – as accurate as it is cool.

If you are looking for the perfect home defense, competition PCC, or night vision sub-gun, look elsewhere. The Kriss Vector is not the one. It did not meet many of the checkboxes for me in terms of requirements and reliability, which would make it a go-to option.

I would choose my MP5, AR9, or a multitude of other options before the Vector.

Our testing started by adding the Sylvan Arms 9mm can and shooting Hop Munitions 147-grain polymer-coated subsonic ammo. The first range day consisted of about 350–400 rounds downrange. We experienced several malfunctions, both ammo- and firearm-related. A total of about eight people shot the Vector during this session.

The second range day included roughly 300 more rounds. Ammo used was the remaining Hop Munitions 147 gr, along with Fiocchi 124 gr, Federal 147 gr flat nose, and Magtech 124 gr and 147 gr. We experienced the same types of malfunctions with each ammo type. During this session, we also switched the suppressor to the Lone Wolf Arms Eliminator .45 ACP can. Three of us shot that day.

After this, the Vector was sent back to KRISS for inspection and repair. It was cleaned, the bolt and extractor were replaced, and KRISS sent 200 rounds of ammo back with the gun to complete testing.

The third and final range trip was just me, shooting 120 rounds of 115 gr Fiocchi supers and 80 rounds of 124 gr Magtech. Only one user-induced malfunction occurred due to improper hand placement.

The total round count was between 850 and 900. We should note again that no oil or cleaning was applied throughout the entire testing process.

Reliability

We fired a total of 850–900 rounds and experienced 12–15 malfunctions, including two ammo-related, 5–6 user-induced, and 7–8 Vector-related issues. All ammo types experienced FTF (failure to feed) and FTE (failure to eject) malfunctions. Only Hop Munitions had a case blowout.

Ammo Used

For this review, we used six different types of 9mm ammo. The main supply was 500 rounds of Hop Munitions 147 grain polymer-coated subsonic. The remaining 350–400 rounds were a mix, with 75+ rounds each of:

• Fiocchi 115 gr FMJ
• Fiocchi 124 gr FMJ
• Magtech 124 gr FMJ
• Magtech 147 gr flat nose
• Federal American Eagle 147 gr flat nose

Accuracy

Overall, the Kriss Vector is pretty accurate. Once the optic was properly zeroed, we were able to hit steel at 150 yards with no issues. Like any subgun, it’s best suited for 150 yards and in, but with a prism optic or scope, you could absolutely stretch it out to 200 yards.

Vector SDP Gen 3

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Vector CRB Gen 3

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Vector SBR Gen 3

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Interchangeable Pistol Grip

Make your Vector more personalized. With the Gen 3 Vector, you can swap out the pistol grip for any aftermarket AR-15/AR-16 style grip.

Rear Picatinny End Rail Stock Mount

A huge upgrade from the Gen 2. The Gen 3 now comes standard with a direct 1913-style stock mount. Use the Kriss Gen 3 stock or any aftermarket skeletonized stock of your choice.

4-Pin Tool-Less Disassembly

Time to clean? No problem. Break down the Vector anytime, anywhere with its quick, tool-less disassembly system. Just a few push pins and you have access to everything you need.

Reliability (5/10)

Even with a malfunction rate under 1%, the combination of repeated issues and the stiff action raises concerns about long-term reliability.

Ergonomics (3/10)

If several malfunctions happened because of hand placement and it affected four different people, the ergonomics could use some improvement in my opinion.

Customization (8/10)

The Vector lets your imagination run wild. With a full-length optic Pic rail and new M-LOK style handguards, you’re good to go.

Appearance (10/10)

That’s why we’re all here, right? From video games to the local range, the Vector is iconic and unmistakable.

Value (8/10)

For a well-built system with lots of options, the Vector justifies its $1,499 price tag.

Swampfox Optics Raider 1X Prism

This optic was easy to pick up thanks to its large window and clear reticle.

The slight magnification made hitting targets beyond 100 yards much easier, without compromising close-range performance. Swampfox also offers a wide variety of optics and scopes to choose from.

Lone Wolf Arms Elimin8r .45 Suppressor

Direct mounting to the ½ x 28 threaded barrel was as easy as it gets. The can’s modular design offers several length and baffle options. While it’s not the quietest since it’s not a dedicated 9mm suppressor, it still delivers solid sound reduction and makes 124 and 147 gr ammo hearing safe.

Kriss Vector Gen 3 Folding Stock

Made from 7075 aluminum, the folding stock allows for proper eye alignment with the optic rail. It’s tough to get a clean sight picture on the Vector with standard brace or stock setups, but the “under dip” design of the Kriss stock makes it much easier. It’s fully ambidextrous, allowing you to adjust the button orientation to suit your preferred side.

HK SP5

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While this will cost you nearly twice as much, my current round count on this setup is close to 5,000 with fewer than five total malfunctions. There’s a reason the MP5 is still considered one of the best sub-gun options on the market.

Military Arms Corp MAC5K

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Another MP5-style option, but one that fits the budget. At around $1,000, the MAC5K has been a phenomenal shooter for the price.

You also get much closer to the compactness of the Vector with the “K” series MP5s.

CZ Scorpion Evo 3

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One of the first subguns I owned, with thousands of rounds downrange.

The Scorpion has strong aftermarket support and a wide range of upgrades. Still one of my favorites in the safe.

With everything considered, the Kriss Vector is an extremely soft-shooting subgun and a lot of fun on the range. The “Super V” recoil system is noticeable, and its compactness is hard to beat. The trigger has little to no slack, giving you a clean break and reset every time.

It offers solid customization potential, and with the proper paperwork, the SDP version can be converted to an SBR or AOW for an even better shooting experience while also helping reduce user-induced malfunctions.

Most of the major complaints have been addressed with the Gen 3 upgrades, but one big issue remains: the risk of unintentionally activating the bolt hold open or mag release due to where most users naturally place their support hand.

The Gen 3 brings the Kriss Vector closer to being a well-rounded option, but it’s not quite there yet.

What do you think of the new Gen 3 Kriss Vector? Let us know!