KRYTAC KRISS VECTOR custom build completed, increasing muzzle velocity and rate of fire.

Previous customWe will address the new problems that have emerged.

The issues we will address are pinion gear noise and the reduction in initial velocity due to air leaks from the nozzle.

I will do my best to move forward.

Parts selection

The pinion gear on my Ronex A1 is making a lot of noise, so I'm going to change it.

I tried using a pinion gear from LAYLAX.

I chose Eagle Model's tools for removing and installing the pinion gear.

Eagle Model Pinion Remover
There are cheaper options available, but since rigidity is crucial for tools like this, I use this sturdy-looking one. It's only about 1000 yen more than the cheaper ones, so it's around 4000 yen, which I recommend.

Comparing the pinions, the LAYLAX pinion has deeper teeth, which increases the contact area on the tooth surface and improves the bite ratio, resulting in a significant improvement. (Left is Lonex, right is LAYLAX)

Regarding the nozzle, I want to assemble it while making adjustments, so I will be using the RETROARMS AJUSTABLE NOZZLE 21-23mm from RetroArms.

Also, since the motor torque has increased, it should be able to pull a stronger spring, so to further stabilize the initial velocity, I will change to KM Planning's 3-point variable pressure 0.98J spring.

Start customization

First, we'll change the motor's pinion gear.

First, I'll use a tool to remove the pinion gear from the Lonex A1 motor.

It's incredibly hard.

I could only turn the handle by hand, so although I shouldn't have, I tapped it little by little with a plastic hammer to remove it.

Simply press in the new hard pinion gear.

Just to be sure, I'll measure the overall length of the motor before and after press-fitting.

The left image shows the original Lonex gear, while the right image shows the gear with the LAYLAX pinion gear installed.

The difference is only 0.18mm, so you can consider them to be almost the same dimensions.

Next, adjust the nozzle length.

This timePrevious failureWe'll use that to assemble and adjust all the tappet components.

Furthermore, the chamber is assembled to the absolute limit just before feeding becomes impossible. (RetroArms adjustable nozzle)

I've written this quickly, but the actual work was incredibly difficult.

The procedure involves temporarily assembling the gearbox with the gearbox nozzle in its fully retracted position, attaching the assembled hop-up chamber, and checking whether BBs are loaded into the chamber by inserting them into the feeding route.

The nozzle length is changed and the assembly is reassembled to determine the maximum nozzle length at which ammunition can be fed.

Apparently myThe answer for this particular unit seems to be 21.8mm (it was later discovered that it can only feed small-diameter BBs like Tokyo Marui's high-precision BBs; it wouldn't feed larger diameter BBs).A link to the article on countermeasures is provided at the end.

It's 7mm longer than the original.This setting is understandable considering the cumulative tolerances of the parts and assembly tolerances.Actually, from an engineering perspective, a 7mm stumble is quite impressive.

Now that the parts are ready, it's time for shim adjustment.

Click here for instructions on how to adjust the shims →My own method for adjusting shims on electric airsoft guns (bevel gear standard)

This is the third time I've adjusted the Kriss Vector alone, so I'm getting used to it.

If I keep disassembling and reassembling things this much, I think I could probably disassemble and reassemble things as quickly as Forrest Gump in the movie, during his Vietnam War training.

All that's left is to clear your mind and assemble it, and you're done.

Actual shooting performance after customization

Now that it's finished, I'll connect the battery and try firing it.

Good response, good cycle, good noise (the clicking sound of the anti-reverse latch is a little bothersome).

It looks promising. The measurement was taken using the usual ET-1 REDLINE 1300mAh with a storage voltage of 6-65V and Tokyo Marui 2g bio BBs.

Hops: 10 out of 15

It's a nice, moderate flow rate. The initial velocity variation was about ±4 m/s.

It's a cycle.

With a fully charged battery and the brushes broken in, it will probably fire around 17-18 shots per second.

I don't plan on using a drum magazine anytime soon, so I'm using the stock 96-round magazine. The ammo capacity is just right for me. It's more than enough for my burst firing.

Moreover, the position where the sector gear stops after firing in semi-automatic mode happened to coincide with a pre-cocked state, resulting in a nice response for the next shot.

This is what the launch feels like (video).

Kriss Vector Custom Test Firing　

With a suppressor attached (see video).

Kriss Vector Custom with Suppressor　

It's considerably quieter compared to when it was straight out of the box.

The rattling sound you hear in the background is the anti-reverse latch. It looks like it will take some ingenuity to silence it.

I think it turned out pretty well. It was a lot of work, though.

If you're interested, please also check out my review of the chronograph.

Ballistics check and practical application

I was finally able to confirm the trajectory in early May 2021.

I actually used it at the range and in an airsoft game at Turf Battle Field in Tochigi Prefecture.

The usage environment was sunny with a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius.

The ammunition used in the Vector was S&T's Bio BBs 0.2g, and the battery was a Laylax GIGA TEC EVO LiPo battery 1200mAh 25-35C 7.4V, used at a fully charged 8.4V (the connector was changed to a T-connector).

LAYLAX Gigatec LiPo Battery 7.4V
The reason I chose it was simply because it was the correct size for the Kriss Vector. And it actually fit perfectly.

In this state, the optimal hop setting is approximately 2.5 out of 10 on the hop dial, resulting in an initial velocity of around 92 m/s.

The hop adjustment has a total of 10 levels, so it should be able to accommodate BBs up to 0.28g, which is generally permitted for use.

The rate of fire was approximately 19 rounds per second.

It has the same rate of fire as the actual Kriss Vector (around 20 rounds per second), so I think it's great for getting a feel for the real thing.

As for the trajectory, it's designed for high velocity as intended. From the sight, it appears to have a low trajectory up to about 40m, but beyond 40m, you can see it rising (it rises quite a bit because the hop-up is strong).

The trajectory reached its peak about 50 meters from that point, then dropped, and hit the ground at around 60 meters.

With a red dot sight, I could consistently hit my target at around 50 meters (with a scope, I might be able to reach up to 55 meters due to the ricochet).

Since it's tuned for high velocity, I think it will be even easier to aim with heavier BBs.

In actual combat, the high-velocity design produces a powerful burst sound upon firing, but it raises concerns about revealing your position, making me want to attach a suppressor (which I forgot to bring).

The rate of fire and response were decent, but the stock magazine only holds about 96 rounds, so it ran out of ammo quickly, making magazine changes a hassle.

In the end, I only ever used semi-automatic or two-round burst fire in every game.

It generally flies as intended, making it quite easy to use.

As expected from a recently designed Vector, the ergonomics and ease of use were quite good. However, I wish the magazine release button was on the right side. Since it's sold by Laylax, I'm hesitant about buying it (I don't really like the look of it).

The battery lasted for approximately 1300 shots, but since it was a 1200mAh 25C battery, it didn't consume enough power to cause a noticeable decrease in responsiveness, so the battery life was pretty good.

However, despite being an SMG, the limited magazine capacity meant that instead of spraying bullets at close to medium range, I ended up using a sniping style focused entirely on targeting distant enemies, which I found quite interesting due to the contrast.

I dropped the device when I tripped and fell, but it was completely undamaged, so it's quite sturdy.

I'm satisfied with the current settings, so I'll use them like this for a while.

By the way, I've introduced Turf-san on this blog, so please check it out if you're interested →Airsoft Field Introduction Part 1: Turf Battle Field (Regular Event) Southern Tochigi Prefecture

We also introduce a comparison of ballistics with different customizations and different packings →I tried making my own G-HOP, part 2: Trajectory testing and practical application (comparison of hop-up packings: Miyagawa Rubber, Maple Leaf, G-HOP modified)

For measuring initial velocity and checking trajectory, white is recommended for better visibility (black is difficult to see). I personally prefer G&G, so I recommend them (they're not as accurate as Tokyo Marui, but they offer good value for money).

G&G Bio-Bullets 0.2g
It's inexpensive and accurate, so I use it for a wide range of purposes, from performance testing to airsoft games. It's been my favorite since it first came to Japan (around 2008). It lasts a long time for a biodegradable product.

G&G Bio-Bullets 0.25g
It's 0.25g. I generally use 0.25g BBs when playing airsoft.

Summary of specifications

I put it together using some accessory parts I had at home.

Finally, I will introduce the final specifications.

It was time-consuming because there were so many parts.

I'll stop working on the Kriss Vector for now. I'll consider it finished for the time being.

If I were to aim for even better response or a higher cycle rate, since I'm already using a LONEX A1 motor, my options would be limited. It would likely involve more complicated methods such as switching to an 11.1V LiPo battery, using a brushless motor, or changing the gear ratio.

Even with these changes, the round-per-shot rate has improved from less than 14 rounds per second out of the box to 18-19 rounds per second (without changing the gear ratio), so I think it's a significant improvement.

I'm happy with it because it now has a rate of fire similar to a real gun (I think it's about 20 rounds per second).

I'd like to stick with this specification for a while.

That was the plan, but some minor issues arose during actual use, so I'll make a few more adjustments.

If you like, please refer to this next time as well →KRYTAC KRISS VECTOR: Tips for Internal Customization, Disassembly, and Assembly

KRYTAC Kriss Vector Black
I think it has high potential for customization.

KRYTAC Kriss Vector FDE
色違いです。

KRYTAC Kriss Vector 2-tone color
I personally like this color.

・Chris Vector 95-round magazine
This is a spring-loaded magazine that holds approximately 96 rounds.

・Chriss Vector 95-round magazine 3-pack
Since there are no dedicated high-capacity magazines available, this is a great deal. With 3 magazines plus 1 (included with the gun), you can carry around 400 rounds in total, which is more than enough for airsoft games.