Brandon and John introduce a detailed look at the KRISS Vector SDP Gen 3 pistol. John explains that he has a strong attachment to the Vector platform because it played a role in getting him into photography. Early in his time at Classic Firearms, he was handed a KRISS Vector chambered in .45 ACP and told to take it into the woods and make it look good in photos. Using only an iPhone and experimenting with portrait mode and angles, he realized he enjoyed creating images, and he credits that specific Vector with pushing him toward photography. The hosts set up the video to cover tech specs, a tip-to-butt walkthrough, and verification of manufacturer specifications.
The hosts identify the model as the KRISS Vector SDP, with SDP standing for Special Duty Pistol. They highlight that the Vector uses a closed-bolt delayed blowback system and note that it is known for very fast cycling and soft recoil characteristics. The action travels back and then down into the chassis, which contributes to recoil mitigation and reliability. They mention that an animation is often used to show how the internal mechanism works and emphasize that the operating system is a defining feature of the Vector design. This section sets the stage for why the pistol feels different from more conventional pistol-caliber platforms.
Attention shifts to core specifications. The KRISS Vector SDP Gen 3 shown has a threaded barrel, allowing the use of a suppressor. Barrel length is about 5.5 inches, and overall length is listed at approximately 15.39 inches, giving the pistol a compact profile. Weight is around 5.6 pounds, which the hosts describe as neither especially light nor heavy but well balanced in the hand. The barrel is chrome lined 4140 steel with a black nitrite finish and uses a 1/2x28 thread pitch. They also allude to the pistol using Glock-pattern magazines and joke about the capacity being “in her 40s,” while being careful about how they phrase specific numbers for the platform on YouTube.
The hosts begin a tip-to-butt overview. Up front, the Vector has a thread protector on the barrel. The front portion of the chassis is described as boxy, and the lower handguard area is aluminum with M-LOK slots on the sides and bottom. They note that this allows mounting accessories such as a light or possibly a small hand stop, though they are cautious about adding a vertical grip unless the pistol is configured as an SBR. They comment that simply gripping the front section feels solid. On top, the Vector has a full-length Picatinny rail for optics. Flip-up iron sights are included in the box and can be kept folded when running an optic on a riser, allowing co-witness or backup use.
Moving to the control area, they point out that the magazine release is located on the left side and feels ergonomic, somewhat reminiscent of an AR-style layout in terms of how the hand reaches it, though the design is distinct. Above the magazine well is the bolt release, which is used after pulling the charging handle to the rear; the orange follower of the Glock-style magazine is visible through the ejection port. Most primary controls are on the left side. The pistol uses Glock magazines, which they consider a practical advantage. The trigger guard is integrated into the grip area, and the grip itself is an AR-15 or M4 style unit, meaning it can be swapped with other AR-pattern grips. The safety is ambidextrous. When they test the trigger by feel, they note some initial take-up, a somewhat longer pull than expected, and a reset that pushes the finger forward with a bit of travel before re-engagement.
The hosts decide to verify the trigger pull weight using a gauge. After clearing the pistol and ensuring it is safe, they conduct multiple pulls. The first reading comes in at approximately 3.78 pounds, which seems lighter than anticipated. To get a more accurate average, they repeat the test with different people pulling the trigger. Subsequent readings are around 5 pounds and then about 6.3 pounds. They conclude that the trigger weight is roughly in the 5 to 6 pound range, aligning with what they describe as a standard duty-style pistol trigger. This segment underscores their effort to compare real-world measurements with published specifications rather than relying solely on manufacturer data.
They continue verifying specs by measuring overall length and height with a tape measure. From the barrel to the rear, they confirm a length around 16 inches in the way they are measuring, and they note a height of about 7 inches. Next, they move to a scale to check weight. Placing the KRISS Vector SDP Gen 3 on the scale without a magazine shows about 5.66 pounds, which matches the earlier stated figure. Adding the magazine brings the weight to roughly 6.09 pounds, and they remark that a loaded magazine in the 40-round range would add even more. In closing, they describe the Vector as a distinctive pistol-caliber carbine-style platform that handles differently from most others. They attribute its higher price to the unique operating system and shooting characteristics and encourage viewers with experience on the KRISS Vector to share their thoughts in the comments.
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