Do you want to steal a march in terms of accuracy and faster target acquisition?
If so, this Burris Fastfire III review is for you.
We’ll go through exactly what this FastFire Red Dot Sight offers by explaining:
- What it is.
- Who is it suitable for.
- The different types of weapons you can use it with.
- Features offered and the advantages it can give.
- Some important Pros and Cons.
It is clear that red-dot sights are growing in popularity and this is certainly not without reason. Our conclusion will highlight some of the factors as to why such a sight might just be right for you. But before that, let’s get right into the Burris Fastfire III series.
(4.3 / 5)Contents
What Exactly Is It?
The Burris Fastfire III red dot sight is a small, lightweight sight. You have the choice of 2 different MOA (Minute of Angle) configurations.
This choice is either 3 MOA dot or 8 MOA dot. When purchasing you can also stipulate whether you would like it with a Picatinny mount included or with no mount whatsoever. The latter option will then allow you to choose one of a number of other mounts from Burris.
Our Burris Fastfire 3 review will concentrate on the 3 MOA with Picatinny mount version. Dimension wise this model comes in at 6 inches long, 5 inches wide and 1.9 inches in height. In terms of weight, it weighs in at 1.5 ounces.
What Does This Mean To You?
This very well-manufactured site is very compact and light. What that means for you is that when the Burris Fastfire 3 is mounted on your weapon, it will not interfere with balance or weapon handling.
The 3 MOA reticle will be seen easily. On the other hand, it is small enough to ensure that targets at further distances will not be obscured.
What Is The Construction?
This solid, robust scope is made from high-quality aluminum that ensures durability. Quality optical glass has been used for the lens. This is first precision-ground then polished to provide crisp, clear images and ensure fast target acquisition.
You will find this red-dot sight is waterproofed to protect it against the elements and shockproof to resist weapon recoil.
Who Is It Suitable For?
The good news here is that it is suitable for just about anyone. It can be attached to a handgun (pistols and revolvers) bolt-action as well as semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
Due to its size, you will have no issues whatsoever if you want to install it on a larger optic. We would highly recommend this red-dot scope as an ideal back-up optic. This is because mounting it on top of your primary scope or placing it at a 45-degree angle will give you an advantage.
It will, therefore, be ready for immediate close quarter use, or if your main scope happens to fail.
One thing is sure; when using this quality red-dot scope, you will benefit from fast target acquisition and greater accuracy. And while it is proving popular with shooters across the board, it is certainly finding favor in particular niches.
Two examples being:
- It is a good choice for home defense duties.
- Its combination of size, weight, and choice of mounting options makes it an excellent fit for competition shooters.
What About Adjustments?
Although the design is very straightforward, shooters will appreciate the fact that:
- This site does not need any tools in terms of windage and elevation adjustments.
- The reticle has three different brightness settings. These are automatic and will adjust to the different levels of light you are shooting in. You also have the option of manually changing the brightness settings with easy-access push button controls.
Very Good Battery Life
A well thought out battery compartment is accessed from the top of the sight. This gives added convenience because it will allow you to replace the batteries without having to remove the sight from your chosen firearm.
Having said that, you will not be changing the CR1632 battery very often! The Burris Fastfire 3 has an automatic time-out feature after 8 hours. This feature works to help you get around 5,000 hours of life from just one battery.
Ease Of Use Is Yours
One thing our Burris Fastfire III review is impressed with is the ease of use. No matter what your level of shooting expertise is, you will be able to take advantage of this red-dot scope. There will be no concerns about sight alignment, finding your target or eye dominance because this FastFire sight gives parallax-free magnification at 1x.
This means you can feel confident to shoot with both eyes open. The knock-on effect to this is that you will be far more aware of your surroundings and what is actually going on.
For a small scope, it certainly helps give you a bigger picture!
Guaranteed Peace Of Mind
Burris are renowned for their solid customer service and provide a “Forever Warranty” for those who purchase this sight. This is a lifetime guarantee of reliable performance. While this should obviously give you peace of mind, please do check the small print. This will help you to understand exactly what is covered.
On this point, do take a look at our ‘Cons’ section below. There have been instances where some batches of these sights have left the factory with quality issues. In the event that this happens happen, you can rest assured that Burris is very efficient in resolving such issues.
While we are on the subject, there is one very important thing for you to bear in mind. This relates to any manufacturers optic you purchase:
Once you have taken possession of this or any other scope, please do not just assume it will work. Good weapon practice demands that you ensure it is fully intact. You then need to test it and take it for training sessions before you use it in a real-life situation.
As with all firearms equipment, you really will benefit from ensuring that things are in full working order. You should also be knowledgeable about the unit concerned and confident in its use.
Burris Fastfire III review – Pros & Cons
We will shortly give an overall conclusion on this well-received red-dot sight. Before that, let’s take a look at its Pros and Cons.
Pros
- Suitable for multi-weapon use.
- Suitable for different shooting disciplines.
- Effective at close-mid ranges.
- Compact, light, unobtrusive.
- Ease of use. No tools required.
- Excellent “Forever” warranty upon purchase.
- High quality at a competitive price.
Cons
- Some quality control issues reported (although quickly resolved).
- Riser may be required for rifle or shotgun use.
- Not a long range shooting sight.
- No protective cover included.
Burris Fastfire III Review Conclusion
Red dot sights continue to grow in popularity. There are some very good reasons for this which include:
- Convenience in terms of size and weight.
- Ease of use. This is regardless of shooting expertise. They suit beginners right the way through to highly experienced shooters.
- Faster target acquisition is achieved.
- Greater shooting accuracy is yours.
In our opinion, the Burris Fastfire III meets all of the above criteria and more. It is a well-made, robust red-dot sight that comes with some neat features and quality optics that will not disappoint. And something that is sure to please is the competitive price.
There is little doubt that it will suit many types of shooters. Having said that, we believe those who regularly use handguns, weapons for home defense, and those into competition shooting will certainly benefit from taking a closer look.
