Burris FastFire III - 3 or 8 MOA?

[Nevadadvx]

I recently picked up a very sweet Performance Center ported 9L in a trade and decided to try an optic on it. From what I have read, the Burris line can't be beat for the price. They come in 3 and 8 MOA versions.

Now, I have what I call "old guy eyes" and not sure which one to get. I mainly shoot 7 - 15 yards or so. Any recommendations on which one I should purchase? Or, if there is a better one out there under $300, I am open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.

 

[gwpercle]

The 3 MOA is more precise, easier to hit small targets or shoot small groups. But it is smaller and not quite as fast to pick up for fast shooting.

The 8 MOA is larger , easier to see, better for fast shooting at not to small targets. but is harder to shoot small groups or small objects.

I'm 65 , have old eyes, and half blind, but still prefer the 3 MOA dot because I like to shoot small groups and small targets and I don't do the spray and pray type shooting, I have always been taught to make the first shoot count .
There are cheaper sights out there but probably not any better. FastFires get a lot of good press and I wish I had one to replace my old school Millet SP-1.
Gary

 

[Nevadadvx]

You sound a lot like me Gary, I'm 63 and shoot very similar to what you do. Looks like a 3 MOA is in my future.

 

[Rastoff]

I mainly shoot 7 - 15 yards or so.

Definitely get the 8MOA version. At 15 yards an 8MOA dot will cover roughly 1" on the target. Believe it or not, that's a small dot. If you need to really get precise, you can just use the top of the dot. Trust me, the 8MOA is much easier to sight well with at short yardage.

Now, if you want the best compromise between small dot and easy to see, get the Deltapoint or Trijicon with the triangle. This way you have a very quick acquisition when speed is more important than accuracy and the point of the triangle when ultimate accuracy is needed.

Whatever you do, get the right optic the first time. I have both the Fast Fire III with a 3MOA dot and a Trijicon RMR08G which has a 12.9MOA green triangle. That might seem enormous, but it's much nicer than the 3MOA for speed of acquisition.

And, the RMR08G is indestructible and doesn't need batteries. The Fast Fire III is more delicate and don't forget to turn it off. The batteries only last a few hours.

 

[guidedfishing]

I have the 3MOA on mine and it works well. But to be honest I am shooting mostly steel, and at 25yards that 8MOA dot is not going to cover enough of the plate to impact your performance. In fact it will probably help with acquiring the dot which has taken a fair amount of practice with the 3MOA. If your only shooting to 15 yards I would not hesitate to have the 8MOA dot.

Good Luck

 

[Brucenterry]

I bought a Eotech MRDS w/ a 3.0 MOA and I find it too small. Bought a Trijicon RMR02 w/ a 6.5 MOA and it's much better! The 3.0 is fine for precision shooting, but I think the 6.5 is best for both applications (precision/quick acquisition).

 

[Nevadadvx]

After the first reply, I went ahead and ordered the 3 MOA. If it doesn't work out for me, I guess I will sell it and get the 8 MOA. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[pyro]

You can pick up a burris fastfire2 for about $179. It has an 4 moa and it will cowitness the iron sights properly, unlike the fastfire3.

 

[Rastoff]

After the first reply, I went ahead and ordered the 3 MOA.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Nevadadvx]

You can pick up a burris fastfire2 for about $179. It has an 4 moa and it will cowitness the iron sights properly, unlike the fastfire3.

I saw those for that price, but like the fact that the battery can be replaced without removing the sight from the weapon on the FF III. Which was my main reason for choosing it. Didn't know about the co-witness difference between the two.

 

[JLLNet]

You can pick up a burris fastfire2 for about $179. It has an 4 moa and it will cowitness the iron sights properly, unlike the fastfire3.

I see you point on this, but isn't the battery an issue. Apparently on the 2, you must remove the sight from the pistol in order to replace the battery, is that a big deal?

I'm too considering the FF3

 

[JLLNet]

I saw those for that price, but like the fact that the battery can be replaced without removing the sight from the weapon on the FF III. Which was my main reason for choosing it. Didn't know about the co-witness difference between the two.

Did you purchase the FF3, how is your experience with the pistol and co-witnessing?

I'm a newbie and I got the PC CORE 4.25" and still researching on sights at a budget.

 

[Bkreutz]

I see you point on this, but isn't the battery an issue. Apparently on the 2, you must remove the sight from the pistol in order to replace the battery, is that a big deal?

I'm too considering the FF3

Think about it this way, a battery lasts at least a year (probably more but I change them in the off season) It takes less than 5 minutes to change a battery. Divide that by the number of days in a year. Not wasting a lot of time, is it?

 

[pyro]

I see you point on this, but isn't the battery an issue. Apparently on the 2, you must remove the sight from the pistol in order to replace the battery, is that a big deal?

I'm too considering the FF3

That is not a big deal. Change it once a year. A bigger deal is when you want to adjust the sights you have to remove them to get access to the locking screws in the back (iron sights in the way). This takes me a couple of minutes, but after getting familiar with the sights, I can almost do it in my sleep.

 

[Nevadadvx]

Did you purchase the FF3, how is your experience with the pistol and co-witnessing?

I'm a newbie and I got the PC CORE 4.25" and still researching on sights at a budget.

I did order it, but it won't be here until tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[Nevadadvx]

Think about it this way, a battery lasts at least a year (probably more but I change them in the off season) It takes less than 5 minutes to change a battery. Divide that by the number of days in a year. Not wasting a lot of time, is it?

Changing the battery is no big deal, but it's my understanding that you have to re-sight in the gun after removing it, and installing it back on. I have no experience with these, so have no clue.

 

[Bkreutz]

Changing the battery is no big deal, but it's my understanding that you have to re-sight in the gun after removing it, and installing it back on. I have no experience with these, so have no clue.

The sight re registers fine, no zeroing required. (assuming it was properly zeroed when it was taken off)

 

[Nevadadvx]

Got the Fastfire 3 today and it is tiny, but fits great on the M&P. When I first installed it, it was a bit nose up. So, I pulled it back off and after messing with it, found the mounting plate that came with the gun, was slightly bowed. It was tough to try and straighten up by hand, so I took it out to the shop and set on the vice with open jaws, and gave it a couple of easy whacks in the center with a brass hammer. Fits really well now.

The 3 MOA looks like it will be fine and also appears that it will co-witness as well. But I have never had one of these, so have nothing else to compare to. It is larger than I expected on full bright, but gets very small in the dimmer setting. One thing I like is the switch on the left side since I am a lefty and can reach it with my index finger. Can't wait to get it out and sight it in. Here is a quick pic...

 

[series guy]

You will probably notice that it feels like you need to tip the muzzle down to see the dot. That's normal and you will get used to it quickly. Don't pay any attention to the iron sights. Just put the dot where you want a hole in something.

 

[Rastoff]

...a battery lasts at least a year...

Maybe, but only if you don't forget to turn it off. Forget it and it will last less than a day.