Finally got to pick it up, damn WA BS law requires us to wait an extra two weeks or so in order to run yet another background check.
So I wanted something as a host for a Mystic X can I had laying around and no use for, wanted something non-AR or derivative as it seems that's about all I have, and wanted something still "solid" despite being novel. I'd had my eye on the Kriss but was actually going to get a CZ EVO3 but a misunderstanding about suppressor compatibility led to the Kriss instead.
There are 3 different models, gen.1, 2 and 2.5. This one is the 2.5.
First impressions? It's heavy. It's bulky. But it has a decent trigger that I understand the slack can be taken out of rather easily, can be fired rather quickly, has almost no recoil in 9mm, like firing a .22, seriously. Basically doesn't move and followup shots go the same place with no effort from the shooter, first time I shot it a big grin spread across my face and that never happens anymore. Ten shots in a silver dollar group twenty or thirty feet away just fucking around with zero effort or skill employed! Ergonomics is great if you're holding it like it was designed to be held, although the new ones come with a small rail section that allows a more traditional grip (or SBR/AOW it and you can install a grip). It also allows for an additional inch of barrel, coming in at 6.5 vs. 5.5, which is tipped with loooong threads on the muzzle and a nice, large and easily gripped thread protector. I should also mention it's front heavy like a motherfucker, you can see this in the pictures but I figure I'd point it out anyway.
I got this one as a pistol, it was just faster that way. I considered Form 1'ing it soon but I think a nicer, thinner and more solid "brace" than what it came with would may be more ideal because it would keep the pistol designation and a fore grip isn't necessary really given the way the whole front of the weapon can be gripped and pulled in. But who knows, I may SBR it anyway and just rig up something else. I do think it would shine better with an appropriate hook style minimal stock that clears the trigger well and a fore grip, well, can't hurt. As for the folder, the hinge is solid but I'm not a fan of the rubber brace and though it'll accept AR stocks I don't think many of those are suitable save the minimalist designs due to the position of the trigger and safety with respect to the stock in the folded position. But folders are really meant for storage anyway and I can't imagine a situation where you'd fire this with the stock folded anyway so maybe it doesn't matter that much. Still, I think the original factory Kriss stock looks ideal, not sure about the new folding model.
Everything seems well made. It has a polymer housing, but it's all pretty much metal lined. It's solid, it doesn't move or creak or any cheap shit like that. Takedown is easy, maintenance is simple although it will take some learning to perform properly. Again, this is NOT your average SBR/SMG/PCC, whatever. Bolt throw it all of about one inch, seriously. All controls are factory oversize and what you'd want. Charging lever is long and folds and easy to operate and if you grip it close it'll lock back the bolt at the same time. Safety is a 45deg. throw. There is some use of polymer parts but I assume they were doing what they could to keep weight down, it is heavy. Interestingly, for a novel weapon, replacement parts aren't too badly priced from the looks of it. And believe it or not, there are aftermarket items for this including a binary trigger (that only fires binary). Not a fan of those but I gotta admit, it looked fun. I got most of the full auto shit out of my system in the army, still, given the way this thing works firing one of these FA would be a ton of fun (especially considering they spit 'em out at 1200rpm!). Since it was designed to do this with no recoil in a .45 you can imagine how gentle a 9mm semi is.
Sights, it comes with polymer Magpul/Defiance sights. They're okay, metal would be better IMO but I stuck a Mepro MOR I had laying around on it. It really is served best by some kind of reflex or small dot optic. Mepro MOR was designed for Israeli SF use on the Tavor I understand, but with the dual 5mW slaved IR and red lasers to a tri power dot sight, it really kicks ass on the Kriss (thank god because it was another expensive item that needed a home!). Works great! The Mystic X is long, but hey, it does the job and that was the point, to find a host. Now I find myself wanting a 1/2-28 FBA for the Omega 9k though just because it's shorter; I have a fascination with short cans. With the brace extended and the can on it, it's easily as long and as heavy as any AR carbine. But it has damn near zero recoil and ergonomics that I like and it will still compact down nicely yet open up to a fully functional and useful weapon. It's also a lot of fun to shoot. And I should mention it uses Glock mags, ah glorious Glock factory mags! Came with a 17rd., can always use an extra. I got ten of the 33rd. sticks but to be totally honest it just "works" better with the 17rd'er IMO. Nothing sticking out of the bottom and 17rds. ain't shabby. I should mention that yes, it'll accept a Beta C-Mag, and if you had one of these in FA it'd probably be a solid buy.
That front rail section comes on and off with four screws and they make a small rail section that'll attach to the weapon directly as well as three other rail modifications in different lengths and styles but pretty sure the one that comes with it will be the one you want. I put a X200 Surefire on the R side, not sure but it or one like it may be the ideal light for something like this.
Definitely not traditional, but if you want a novel break from all the AR derivatives and want a solid platform you can still depend on, not a gimmick, this one is worth looking into. The unique action isn't gimmicky, it actually works and works well. So far no hiccups, it just works. Accurate and followup shots are tight.
Finally I should mention lowers are available in all the usual pistol calibers. I think a 10mm conversion is on the horizon somewhere. Pop three pins and swap, it's that easy.
As for adopters, Thai SF uses 'em and Panamanian police use 'em on motorcycles. Arms rooms around the world will stock 'em for special guys doing special jobs, but given the novelty of the action it's not a mainstream weapon and probably never will be. Still, I could certainly see myself choosing it over many other options available including UZI and pretty much all the post war designs.
So here's some pictures:
Brace folded, can removed. The KAC panels fit well without modification and provide a much better grip. That sight actually works really well on a weapon like this. Note the stock's position through the triggerguard. This brace will rotate some but you can see how many stocks would be problematic and where a minimalist type end or hook would shine.
Extended with can attached, it's pretty long. And bulky. But it feels and shoots great.
Extended, can and 33rd. mag installed, all the shit together now. Surefire X200 visible from this side.
So I wanted something as a host for a Mystic X can I had laying around and no use for, wanted something non-AR or derivative as it seems that's about all I have, and wanted something still "solid" despite being novel. I'd had my eye on the Kriss but was actually going to get a CZ EVO3 but a misunderstanding about suppressor compatibility led to the Kriss instead.
There are 3 different models, gen.1, 2 and 2.5. This one is the 2.5.
First impressions? It's heavy. It's bulky. But it has a decent trigger that I understand the slack can be taken out of rather easily, can be fired rather quickly, has almost no recoil in 9mm, like firing a .22, seriously. Basically doesn't move and followup shots go the same place with no effort from the shooter, first time I shot it a big grin spread across my face and that never happens anymore. Ten shots in a silver dollar group twenty or thirty feet away just fucking around with zero effort or skill employed! Ergonomics is great if you're holding it like it was designed to be held, although the new ones come with a small rail section that allows a more traditional grip (or SBR/AOW it and you can install a grip). It also allows for an additional inch of barrel, coming in at 6.5 vs. 5.5, which is tipped with loooong threads on the muzzle and a nice, large and easily gripped thread protector. I should also mention it's front heavy like a motherfucker, you can see this in the pictures but I figure I'd point it out anyway.
I got this one as a pistol, it was just faster that way. I considered Form 1'ing it soon but I think a nicer, thinner and more solid "brace" than what it came with would may be more ideal because it would keep the pistol designation and a fore grip isn't necessary really given the way the whole front of the weapon can be gripped and pulled in. But who knows, I may SBR it anyway and just rig up something else. I do think it would shine better with an appropriate hook style minimal stock that clears the trigger well and a fore grip, well, can't hurt. As for the folder, the hinge is solid but I'm not a fan of the rubber brace and though it'll accept AR stocks I don't think many of those are suitable save the minimalist designs due to the position of the trigger and safety with respect to the stock in the folded position. But folders are really meant for storage anyway and I can't imagine a situation where you'd fire this with the stock folded anyway so maybe it doesn't matter that much. Still, I think the original factory Kriss stock looks ideal, not sure about the new folding model.
Everything seems well made. It has a polymer housing, but it's all pretty much metal lined. It's solid, it doesn't move or creak or any cheap shit like that. Takedown is easy, maintenance is simple although it will take some learning to perform properly. Again, this is NOT your average SBR/SMG/PCC, whatever. Bolt throw it all of about one inch, seriously. All controls are factory oversize and what you'd want. Charging lever is long and folds and easy to operate and if you grip it close it'll lock back the bolt at the same time. Safety is a 45deg. throw. There is some use of polymer parts but I assume they were doing what they could to keep weight down, it is heavy. Interestingly, for a novel weapon, replacement parts aren't too badly priced from the looks of it. And believe it or not, there are aftermarket items for this including a binary trigger (that only fires binary). Not a fan of those but I gotta admit, it looked fun. I got most of the full auto shit out of my system in the army, still, given the way this thing works firing one of these FA would be a ton of fun (especially considering they spit 'em out at 1200rpm!). Since it was designed to do this with no recoil in a .45 you can imagine how gentle a 9mm semi is.
Sights, it comes with polymer Magpul/Defiance sights. They're okay, metal would be better IMO but I stuck a Mepro MOR I had laying around on it. It really is served best by some kind of reflex or small dot optic. Mepro MOR was designed for Israeli SF use on the Tavor I understand, but with the dual 5mW slaved IR and red lasers to a tri power dot sight, it really kicks ass on the Kriss (thank god because it was another expensive item that needed a home!). Works great! The Mystic X is long, but hey, it does the job and that was the point, to find a host. Now I find myself wanting a 1/2-28 FBA for the Omega 9k though just because it's shorter; I have a fascination with short cans. With the brace extended and the can on it, it's easily as long and as heavy as any AR carbine. But it has damn near zero recoil and ergonomics that I like and it will still compact down nicely yet open up to a fully functional and useful weapon. It's also a lot of fun to shoot. And I should mention it uses Glock mags, ah glorious Glock factory mags! Came with a 17rd., can always use an extra. I got ten of the 33rd. sticks but to be totally honest it just "works" better with the 17rd'er IMO. Nothing sticking out of the bottom and 17rds. ain't shabby. I should mention that yes, it'll accept a Beta C-Mag, and if you had one of these in FA it'd probably be a solid buy.
That front rail section comes on and off with four screws and they make a small rail section that'll attach to the weapon directly as well as three other rail modifications in different lengths and styles but pretty sure the one that comes with it will be the one you want. I put a X200 Surefire on the R side, not sure but it or one like it may be the ideal light for something like this.
Definitely not traditional, but if you want a novel break from all the AR derivatives and want a solid platform you can still depend on, not a gimmick, this one is worth looking into. The unique action isn't gimmicky, it actually works and works well. So far no hiccups, it just works. Accurate and followup shots are tight.
Finally I should mention lowers are available in all the usual pistol calibers. I think a 10mm conversion is on the horizon somewhere. Pop three pins and swap, it's that easy.
As for adopters, Thai SF uses 'em and Panamanian police use 'em on motorcycles. Arms rooms around the world will stock 'em for special guys doing special jobs, but given the novelty of the action it's not a mainstream weapon and probably never will be. Still, I could certainly see myself choosing it over many other options available including UZI and pretty much all the post war designs.
So here's some pictures:
Brace folded, can removed. The KAC panels fit well without modification and provide a much better grip. That sight actually works really well on a weapon like this. Note the stock's position through the triggerguard. This brace will rotate some but you can see how many stocks would be problematic and where a minimalist type end or hook would shine.
Extended with can attached, it's pretty long. And bulky. But it feels and shoots great.
Extended, can and 33rd. mag installed, all the shit together now. Surefire X200 visible from this side.
