By: Friedrich Seiltgen

The Kriss USA Company has been producing its innovative line of weapons since 2009. Based out of Virginia, Kriss USA is the North American extension of the Switzerland-based Kriss Group.

Kriss is on the cutting edge of firearms design with the creation of their Super V Recoil Mitigation System. This patented design directs recoil downward to counterbalance the muzzle’s normal tendency to rise. The system uses recoil energy to work to the shooter’s advantage.

Kriss uses a delayed blowback operating system. It differs from the H&K Roller Delayed Blowback as the design allows the bolt to move downward into a recess behind the magazine well. The H&K uses rollers driven inward against a tapered bolt extension to increase the rearward pressure forcing the bolt carrier rearward at a higher velocity. The Super V system, along with the low bore axis, keeps the barrel in line with the shooter’s hand, and the reduced recoil helps keep the weapon on target for effective full auto fire and follow up shots!

Kriss produces inert as well as FX versions of the Vector, allowing law enforcement and military to train safely using marking cartridges to add realism to training scenarios. Let me be blunt, getting struck with a marking cartridge sucks, but it gets the point across, and it’s a lot better than a real bullet!

STATISTICS:
Caliber: 9X19
Capacity: 17 or 33, uses standard Glock Magazines
Barrel Length: 6.5 inch
Operating System: Delayed Blowback
Weight: 7.5 lbs.
Rate of Fire: Select Fire Semi- Auto, 2 Round Burst, and 1200 rpm on Fully automatic.

Vector 22 CRB
For those of you not wanting to deal with the NFA paperwork, Kriss offers their semi-auto Vector 22 CRB .22 caliber carbine version. It features a threaded 16” barrel, M-LOK handguard, 6 position adjustable stock, flip up sights, and it’s just as cool looking. It’s also a great deal at $649.99!

Vector CRB
Kriss makes carbines based on the Vector Platform. Kriss also manufactures jurisdiction-specific models for those living in anti-Constitutional states! There are models for California, Maryland, Massachusetts/New Jersey, as well as a Canadian version! These firearms are state specific with fixed stocks, compliant barrel lengths, no pistol grip, etc.

Another great feature of the CRB is the interchangeability of calibers! By switching out the lower receiver, you can change calibers quickly!

But Wait, There’s More
Kriss also makes pistols! The Vector SDP is a futuristic looking pistol based on their SMG. It also utilizes their Super V Recoil system, which combined with the low bore axis, reduces felt recoil and muzzle climb.

For those of you looking for a more conventional style pistol, Kriss offers their Sphinx SDP. Sphinx was originally founded in 1876 in Solothurn, Switzerland as a precision tooling manufacturer. Solothurn is the home of the famous S18-100 20mm Anti – Tank rifle used in WWII! and Switzerland is the home of Sigarms, Brugger & Thomet, and many other gun manufacturers. Just like Swiss watches, the Swiss know about designing precision firearms. Kriss USA moved production to their Virginia facility and kept the quality control! Each Sphinx starts out as a solid piece of billet steel. No Saturday Night Specials Here!

Kriss also manufactures their MAG-EX2 extension kit, which can add up to 40 rounds to your Glock magazine! It is available for Glock 21, Glock 20, and Glock 17, increasing your magazine capacity to 30 rounds of .45 ACP, 33 rounds of 10mm, and 40 rounds of 9mm.

The Kriss Vector SMG is currently in use with the Thai Police and military as well as the Panamanian Police. It has been featured in Taken 3, Maze Runner, and the gun room in John Wick II. You’ll be seeing more of the Kriss in the future. Kriss has dealers worldwide, so go check them out yourself!

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He is currently an Officer with the Starke, Florida Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms, First Aid, Active Shooter Response, and Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations in Florida. His writing has appeared in The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Homeland Security Today and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].

Photo credit: kriss-usa.com