Vektor CP-1 Review

[thirdtimesthecharm]

Well I have been searching for the ultra-rare Vektor CP-1 for over a year now. In the past year I had seen only 3 for sale and missed my chances at snatching one up.

If you don't know the story behind these guns: they came out in the late 90s and were recalled in 2000 because a small percentage of them had issues with the internal safety mechanisms and when dropped could accidentally fire. Vektor recalled the pistol and gave $500 to anyone who would turn theirs in. Vektor closed up shop in the USA and the rest is history.

I heard that there were close to 2000 CP-1s sold in the US before the recall and most of those were turned in because the gun itself isnt that great, so when owners had the opportunity to get $500 for a gun that they spent around $400 for they jumped on it.

Obviously, the limited number left makes these highly collectible and they are jumping in value.

I found this one on gunsamerica.com and payed $450 total for it, (remember it is automatically worth $500 because of the ongoing Vektor recall). I saw one of these in mint condition sell for over $800 on gunbroker!

This one had been fired so i figured i might as well try out a few more rounds. It uses a gas blowback system like the HK P7 but the Vektor's system is known to suck and cause jams frequently. I was expecting it to jam every mag, but I fired 3 mags and no problems at all. Accuracy was very good at 10-15 yards. I love the mag release on this thing, it is very well placed and shoots the mags out even when the gun is held upside down. Loaded chamber indicator is a nice touch also.

The gun is comfortable in the hand but has a nasty little *** to it, it hurts the inside of your hand when it recoils. For some reason the rear sights are plastic which is stupid, and the safety location (inside the trigger gaurd) could be better placed. Also, it has no slide release button which is really annoying.

Overall I'd give this gun a D+ , not the worst gun you could own but you could do a lot better. Its gonna sit in the safe for half a decade or so and when something that I just have to have comes along I'll probably sell it.

[Tuscen]

I wondered what happened to those guns. When I first started getting interested in guns, early 90's @ age 18, I was checking these out. A few years later I checked back on 'em and no one ever heard of 'em. Like they just dropped of the face of the Earth.

I think I recall they were from South Africa. I think I remember them touting at the time that South Africa makes stellar guns and the Vektor was the latest , greatest gun to come from there. I also remember how cool I thought they looked. New Age like, lol.

Glad to know they just weren't a figment of my imagination.

[hobocircus]

D- ? awww thats too bad. I remember you were trying to get one from overseas somewhere. Why not turn it in now and get $500? or are you going to wait till brings you a better return?

I got one of these last week (Armalite AR-180b) and so far it's ok, but not perfect. Sights needed to be worked on, some feeding issues and now might have a gas piston problem. I have to take a look again. Like you I am going to keep mine, probably cause it looks good and has a spot in the owner's heart. I am going to make mine work the way I want it. Thank goodness for 1 year warranties

[shipwreck]

Like the other guy said, I remember these too - they look sweet.

Too bad the company left.

Don't they also make a closed slide Beretta clone?

[thirdtimesthecharm]

Vektor makes great weapons, and the Z88 is a Beretta clone for the South African military. The civilian versions are designated and slightly different called the SP-1 (9mm) and SP-2 (40SW). They are great guns and IMHO better than Beretta's and Taurus copies because they have a completely enclosed slide (much stronger than the open barrel design) and they have the fram mounted safety (like the Taurus). CDNN had them in 2005 for $289 and people snatched em up fast.

Vektor still makes guns in SA but did close its USA shop. The SP line is heavier than the Berretta and stronger, some guys on THR have them and love em. I'd buy one if I saw one in person at a reasonable price.

The CP-1 has some inherent flaws, I think they were trying to fill a futuristic market without doing enough testing. I will sell mine eventually, not right now, i dont have an urge for any firearms right now that arent uncontrolable.

[drewwhite]

I've been searching for a cp-1 as well. I owned one once, but lost it and other guns (and my safe!) when my house was burglarized while I was on vacation.

If anyone hears about one for sale, I'd sure be happy to hear about it.

[HS-South Africa]

Kudos for S.A. Vector do make great guns my brother in law has a sp1 generals model basically a compact of the sp1 & damn that gun just keeps on ticking, it is a bit heavy 'cos it's all steel. Vector did miss the mark with the cp1 though, they are no longer operating at all any more. They also made a galil & ak hybrid that is called the R series which the military & cops use & I wan't one really bad.