Kriss Vector

Summary

Country	🇺🇸 United States
Category	Submachine gun
Manufacturer	Transformational Defense Industries

Technical specifications

Kriss Vector
Fire Rate	rounds/min.
Caliber	.45 ACP
Magazine	13 - 30 rounds
Length	884 mm (34.8 in)
Weight	2.27 kg (5.0 lb)
Range	100 m (328 ft)

Description

The KRISS Vector is a series of weapons developed by the American company KRISS USA (formerly Transformational Defense Industries). Announced in Spring 2007, it was described as an experimental weapon in advanced stages of development, with design work starting in 2006 and limited production beginning in 2009. The name Kriss is derived from a Southeast Asian dagger. A second generation prototype, the K10, was announced at the 2011 SHOT Show as a more compact version designed for caliber interchangeability. The K10 featured a redesigned lower receiver, charging handle, and stock, but was not displayed after SHOT Show 2013, and its status is unknown. In 2015, KRISS announced "Gen II" versions of the original Vector models, featuring redesigned pistol grips, triggers, and safety selectors, replacing the K10 prototypes. The "Gen III" Vector, unveiled at the 2024 SHOT Show, features a redesigned upper housing with a slimmer and lighter profile, an ambidextrous magazine release, M-LOK handguard, and improved trigger.

The Vector utilizes the "Kriss Super V" articulated mechanism, which allows the bolt and an inertia block to move downward into a recess behind the magazine well upon firing. This is intended to direct energy downward rather than rearward, reducing felt recoil and muzzle climb. The weapon's design places the barrel axis in line with the shoulder and hand. The initial prototype achieved a rate of fire of 1,500 rounds per minute, which was reduced to around 1,200 rounds per minute in production models. Civilian models are semi-automatic only. The weapon disassembles into two major assemblies using four push pins, similar to the AR-15. The lower receiver contains the action, charging handle, magazine well, and barrel, while the upper contains the ejection port, rail system, pistol grip, fire control components, and stock. This modularity allows for toolless caliber conversions by swapping lower receivers. The safety and fire mode selector are ambidextrous, but the ejection port, charging handle, bolt release catch, and magazine release are right-handed only. It fires various pistol cartridges and accepts compatible Glock magazines, with extended capacity magazines also available. The .22 LR variant functions using a traditional straight blowback system.

Gen II improvements include a redesigned grip, trigger, and safety angle. Optional Cerakote finishes are available. The SMG variant is intended for military and law enforcement use, and features a 5.5-inch barrel, folding stock, rail, and selective fire modes (single, full-auto, or burst). It is offered in .45 ACP and 9x19mm, using compatible Glock magazines. Semi-automatic variants for civilians include the CRB, SBR, and SDP, and are offered in multiple pistol calibers including 9x19mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .357 SIG, and 9x21mm IMI, utilizing compatible Glock or proprietary (.22 LR) magazines. The .22 LR variant uses a straight blowback system. Civilian models allow caliber conversion by swapping the lower receiver.

Available configurations include:

• CRB (carbine with extended barrel and various stock options including CA-legal)

• SBR (short barrel rifle)

• SDP (pistol or with arm brace)

"Enhanced" versions with collapsing stock adapters are also produced.

The KRISS Vector is used by the following military and law enforcement entities:

• Bangladesh (Army and Police)

• Panama (National Police)

• Thailand (Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Police)

Bangladesh placed a tender for Gen II variants in January 2022.