Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Bolt Action
      • Lever Action
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • Knives
    • Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Pop Culture
      • Podcasts
      • People
      • Rides
    • Concealed Carry
    • Survival
    • Training
  • News
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Bolt Action
      • Lever Action
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • Knives
    • Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Pop Culture
      • Podcasts
      • People
      • Rides
    • Concealed Carry
    • Survival
    • Training
  • News
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
No Result
View All Result
 
ENTER TO WIN > Free Gun Friday for your chance to WIN the SIG Sauer P320 AXG Legion and Black Hills HoneyBadger Ammo

10mm Battle: Kriss Vector SDP SB Enhanced vs CMMG Banshee 300

Todd Burgreen by Todd Burgreen
May 29, 2020
in Guns, Handguns
0
Kriss Vector SDP SB Enhanced 10mm, CMMG Banshee 300 10mm
0
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Braced or large-format pistols are becoming more and more prevalent, especially among those who would prefer a compact platform without having to go through the paperwork and hassle of registering a short-barreled rifle (SBR) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). These pistols are viable alternatives for personal and home defense, providing more firepower over traditional handguns with better handling capabilities than shotguns and rifles.

KRISS Mag-Ex2 .45 ACP, Glock Magazine extension
RELATED STORY

KRISS Mag-Ex2 Arrives in .45 ACP, Takes Glock 21 Capacity to 30 Rounds

The 10mm Kriss Vector vs. CMMG’s Banshee

Of course, if you choose a pistol-caliber option, you’ll save money by being able to load the same ammo in your handguns, and 9mm rounds are still quite affordable. But what if you wanted to up the ante in terms of power without resorting to a rifle-caliber weapon? Both CMMG and KRISS USA have solutions built around the 10mm Auto.

CMMG Banshee 300 Details

CMMG Banshee 300 10mm Test
(Photo by Todd Burgreen)

CMMG offers several different pistol-caliber Banshee ARs, with the 300 series being the top of the line. For this review, I got my hands on the 10mm Banshee 300, which isn’t merely a modified 9mm AR and using a typical blowback operating system. Instead, with all of its Banshees, CMMG has incorporated a patent-pending “radial-delayed” blowback operating system. The result is a lighter 10mm AR pistol that also offers lighter recoil. This is because a heavier bolt is no longer needed to control the stout 10mm operating pressures, as would be required with a more traditional blowback system.

Here the bolt rotates and unlocks like an AR-15’s before cycling to the rear versus just moving rearward upon firing, thus slowing the bolt carrier group enough for pressures to drop for safe functioning. This translates into less recoil and more controllability in rapid fire since the nearly 2 pounds of metal mass is no longer recoiling rearward and slamming forward again. CMMG did its research with the Banshee models and even offers optional action-tuning kits that allow you to adjust the pistol for lighter ammo, hotter ammo or suppressor use via a simple method of adding weight to the bolt carrier.

My test Banshee came with billet 7075-T6 aluminum upper and lower receivers as well as an 8-inch, 4140 stainless steel barrel with a 1-in-16-inch twist rate and an SV muzzle brake. CMMG also included a RipBrace installed on an enhanced, six-position buffer tube; an ambidextrous sling-attachment plate at the rear of the receiver; an ambidextrous charging handle and safety; and an oversized magazine release. The M-LOK handguard matches up nicely with the railed upper. Finally, the receivers are finished in Cerakote. Several different color options are available at no extra cost; I tested a graphite black model.

KRISS Vector SDP-SB Enhanced Details

Kriss Vector SDP SB Enhanced 10mm Test
(Photo by Todd Burgreen)

KRISS USA has steadfastly updated the Vector platform by tweaking the design with new furniture and caliber offerings. For this matchup, KRISS sent me a 10mm Vector SDP-SB Enhanced, which comes with an SB Tactical arm brace that folds to the right side of the receiver. Except for that hinge and a few other components, the pistol is mostly Flat Dark Earth.

Like previous Vectors, the heart of this beast is the Super V operating system, where the recoil energy is directed downward instead of straight back into the shoulder upon firing. The bolt only travels a slight distance past what a loaded round measures, and it weighs 80 percent less than a typical 1911 slide. All of this translates to less felt recoil and muzzle rise so you can stay on target more easily between shots.

The 10mm KRISS Vector SDP-SB Enhanced weighs in at 7.28 pounds unloaded and features a threaded 6.5-inch barrel, which is certainly long enough for a pistol caliber. The gun is 25.6 inches long with the brace extended and 18.5 inches folded. There was no means for adding a sling to my test model, but KRISS offers mounts on its website.

Mags and More

Thankfully, both the CMMG and KRISS leadslingers utilize Glock-style magazines—not proprietary feeding devices—and there are plenty of aftermarket options available. The CMMG comes with a 30-round SGM magazine while the KRISS sports a flush-fitting, 15-round, G20-style magazine. Both guns are also designed so that their bolts will lock back after firing the last round.

Finally, I decided to outfit the CMMG and KRISS with red-dot sights and magnifiers The idea was to maintain their CQB capabilities while extending their effective range to take full advantage of the 10mm ballistics. So, I installed a Trijicon SRS and Bushnell 3X magnifier on the CMMG and a Leupold LCO and Sig Sauer 4X JULIET4 magnifier on the KRISS. The wide fields of view associated with the Trijicon SRS and Leupold LCO are ideal for fast, close-up shots, and the magnifiers offer up potential downrange.

Ammo Loads

Not all 10mm loads are created equal in terms of power, so I decided to run a wide range through the Banshee and Vectory, including full-power JHPs and FMJs from Buffalo Bore, Federal, Hornady and SIG Sauer. And it’s worth noting that the guns ran flawlessly, even with the JHPs, which is an important factor. Law enforcement agencies and security-conscience civilians use expanding ammunition for increased terminal effectiveness and to limit overpenetration in CQB situations.

Buffalo Bore is a prime source of true 10mm ammunition. The company offers several bullet types, including hard-cast and FMJ options. Buffalo Bore’s hard-cast loads are an excellent option for anyone needing deep penetration, especially through barriers.

Federal’s 180-grain Trophy Bonded ammo really shows the 10mm’s potential compared to the 9mm or .45 ACP. In fact, this load uses a projectile based on a rifle version of the same name. The load drives a 180-grain bullet to 1,275 fps for 650 foot-pounds of energy (fpe), putting it roughly between the .357 and .41 Magnum for comparison purposes. This kind of power offers great flexibility, as it can be used for hunting and personal defense.

Hopefully you’ve run SIG Sauer’s V-Crown JHP ammo before. These rounds use V-shaped jackets with cannelured shanks for controlled, uniform expansion, low-flash propellants and nickel cases for enhanced lubricity, superior corrosion resistance, and reliable feeding and extraction. Then there were the two 10mm loads I tested from Hornady. the 155-grain XTPs and 175-grain Critical Duty rounds are rated for 1,150 and 1,250 fps, respectively.

Range Dual

After measuring the guns’ accuracy at 50 yards—and achieving excellent results—it was time for some drills at the Echo Valley Training Center. I fired each gun from behind cover and around vehicles, reloaded on the move and engaged multiple targets from up close out to 150 yards. While I definitely knew I wasn’t firing a 9mm, the recoil wasn’t prohibitive or unmanageable in either the Banshee or Vector. The Banshee’s recoil impulse was smooth and familiar thanks to its AR ergonomics and radial bolt operating system. Numerous others at the range were struck by how easy it was to shoot the Vector while moving. This is surely a result of the Super V system.

The Banshee has excellent ergonomics and handled well at the range. After all, it’s a 5.56-pound AR. What more could you want? The controls are also intuitive thanks to that AR heritage. On the other hand, the Vector benefits from a folding brace since it doesn’t depend on an AR-style buffer for operation. However, each gun can use high-capacity magazines, which is a huge plus.

With both of these guns, shooters will find it easier to manage the 10mm’s recoil and muzzle blast, which translates into better accuracy downrange. Will a rifle round hit with more authority than a 10mm? Of course! But at least with the Banshee and Vector, you’re getting one of the best semi-auto pistol chamberings in terms of effectiveness. And the ability to share the same ammunition and magazines with traditional handguns should not be underestimated, either. For more information, visit cmmginc.com and kriss-usa.com.

CMMG BANSHEE 300 Specs

  • Caliber: 10mm Auto
  • Barrel: 8 inches
  • Overall Length: 24.3 inches
  • Weight: 5.56 pounds (empty)
  • Brace: CMMG RipBrace
  • Sights: None
  • Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
  • Finish: Cerakote
  • Capacity: 30+1
  • MSRP: $1,650

CMMG BANSHEE 300 Performance

LoadVelocityAccuracy
Buffalo Bore 220 Hard-Cast1,2891.25
Federal 180 Trophy Bonded JSP1,3101.50
Hornady 155 XTP1,4851.33
Hornady 175 Critical Duty1,1680.75
SIG Sauer 180 V-Crown JHP1,2951.00

Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 50 yards.

KRISS Vector 10mm SDP-SB Enhanced Specs

  • Caliber: 10mm Auto
  • Barrel: 6.5 inches
  • Overall Length: 18.5-25.6 inches
  • Weight: 6.7 pounds (empty)
  • Brace: SB Tactical SBX-K
  • Sights: None
  • Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
  • Finish: Black, Flat Dark Earth
  • Capacity: 15+1
  • MSRP: $1,779

KRISS Vector 10mm SDP-SB Enhanced Performance

LoadVelocityAccuracy
Buffalo Bore 220 Hard-Cast1,2492.25
Federal 180 Trophy Bonded JSP1,2702.00
Hornady 155 XTP1,4451.75
Hornady 175 Critical Duty1,1281.00
SIG Sauer 180 V-Crown JHP1,2152.00

Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 50 yards.

This article is from the April/May 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab print of digital subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

Shooting the massive Taurus Raging Hunter 10" in 460 S&W Magnum.

VIDEO: Shooting the Massive 10″ Taurus Raging Hunter in 460 S&W

Colt Anaconda revolver 2021, 6 inch barrel, 44 magnum, left

VIDEO: Shooting the Colt Anaconda in .44 Magnum!

Best Glock Trigger Upgrades, Glock triggers

Best Aftermarket Glock Triggers [2023]

The Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro now comes in Desert FDE.

UPDATED: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Adds Desert FDE Variant

Load More

BALLISTIC MAGAZINE VIDEOS

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Ballistic's Best Reader's Choice Winners

Winners Announced: Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice 2022

The votes are in! We've counted the ballots, and we're excited and impressed by you, the...

Read more

TRENDING

The Smith & Wesson FPC seen with 23-round magazines.

Smith & Wesson M&P FPC: An S&W Folding, 9mm PCC is Here!

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

New for 2023: The 21 Best New Handguns Seen at SHOT Show

All the comments in the S&W M&P FPC response.

M&P FPC: The Most Ridiculous Comments on S&W’s New Folder

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

PICK A CATEGORY

TRAINING & TACTICS SPOTLIGHT

Shooting the massive Taurus Raging Hunter 10" in 460 S&W Magnum.

VIDEO: Shooting the Massive 10″ Taurus Raging Hunter in 460 S&W

At the most recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, Taurus showed off one serious piece of hardware. The updated Taurus Raging Hunter...

SHOWCASE: TRAINING AND TACTICS

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

Chris Hemsworth learns box breathing and other challenges in Limitless.

Use Box Breathing Like Chris Hemsworth to Calm Down & Make The Shot

zeroing in rifles and pistols

Zeroing Rifles & Pistols: Getting to & Maintaining Zeroed Sights

European Mount, DIY Euro Mount, Hunting, lead

How to Make a European Mount in 6 Steps

Team SIG Sauer's Lena Miculek fires a P365 and debates .380 vs 9mm.

VIDEO: SIG Sauer’s Lena Miculek Debates .380 Vs 9mm for Defense

The August-September 2022 issue of Ballistic Magazine is all about long-range.

The Ballistic Long-Range Precision Issue Bringing Long-Range Fire!

Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting, pistol

The Guide to Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting

Get in the game and shoot a 3-gun competition.

Competition 101: Preparing for Your First 3-Gun Competition

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Shooting the Hornady 7mm PRC suggests it will be a great big-game round.

TESTED: Shooting the New Hornady 7mm PRC Rifle Cartridge

The rumor has become fact: Hornady has expanded its Precision Rifle Cartridge family to 7mm. During the recent Athlon Outdoors...

site logo
The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • Ballistic Magazine

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Bolt Action
      • Lever Action
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
  • Accessories
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Knives
    • Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Training
    • Survival
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Podcasts
      • Rides
  • Videos
  • More
    • Free Gun Friday Sweeps
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • News

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.