AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/24/2009 8:48:16 PM EDT
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I'm thinking about getting a Burris Fastfire.
Two reasons - 200 bucks at Midway with a built in mount, compared to 500 for an Aimpoint. It's going on my MP5/10, and the lower the sight the better based on the stock check weld. It may also Co-witness if it's real low - my EO -Tech is much higher. I know it's not as good as Aimpoints and such, but I'd like to hear from any owners: Battery life - OK? Does it hold zero? How's the quality, fit, finish? Any reason it's not a good buy at $200? Thanks, |
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Most people are using them on an angled rail as an alternative sight to their scope for short range. I am currently trying to set one up as a primary sight and am having some problems, but they will be
addressed in time. As they come from the factory there is no way to adjust the height out of the box. For an AR-15 platform a 1/2" riser is too short, a 1" riser is too tall. Burris makes a shim system for this sight (9.95 per shim) in 1/8" and 1/4" sizes. They are intended for use with their Speed Dot shotgun mounting system and this sight. They will allow you to get the height you want in combination with a 1/2" riser. The problem is Burris does not include screws with the shims sets and the original screws are too short. It's not like you can run down to Lowe's and buy gun screws, although I don't know why not. So I am currently waiting for an email from Burris to address my problem, I'm sure there will be an additional charge. I originally purchased the Fast Fire w/piccatinny mount. Finding it would not co-witness with the risers I mentioned above, I purchased their "protective wing" mount. Same problem, still too low, even though i'ts slightly taller than the original. With the protective wing mount, the shims, the original sight and the unuseable original mount I'm getting close to $300 and that's not counting any charge that I may/will incurr for the screws I need. I still like the idea of a very light sight and mount and it's going on an old (A1 1/12) barreled flat top upper for blasting 3 gun and combat courses and just to make a little noise. I'm sure Burris will come to the rescue, it would have been nice if the shims and screws were in the original kit. |
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Quoted:
Most people are using them on an angled rail as an alternative sight to their scope for short range. I am currently trying to set one up as a primary sight and am having some problems, but they will be addressed in time. As they come from the factory there is no way to adjust the height out of the box. For an AR-15 platform a 1/2" riser is too short, a 1" riser is too tall. Burris makes a shim system for this sight (9.95 per shim) in 1/8" and 1/4" sizes. They are intended for use with their Speed Dot shotgun mounting system and this sight. They will allow you to get the height you want in combination with a 1/2" riser. The problem is Burris does not include screws with the shims sets and the original screws are too short. It's not like you can run down to Lowe's and buy gun screws, although I don't know why not. So I am currently waiting for an email from Burris to address my problem, I'm sure there will be an additional charge. I originally purchased the Fast Fire w/piccatinny mount. Finding it would not co-witness with the risers I mentioned above, I purchased their "protective wing" mount. Same problem, still too low, even though i'ts slightly taller than the original. With the protective wing mount, the shims, the original sight and the unuseable original mount I'm getting close to $300 and that's not counting any charge that I may/will incurr for the screws I need. I still like the idea of a very light sight and mount and it's going on an old (A1 1/12) barreled flat top upper for blasting 3 gun and combat courses and just to make a little noise. I'm sure Burris will come to the rescue, it would have been nice if the shims and screws were in the original kit. Works fine on a ARMS #37 Swan Slv. |
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Quoted:
Most people are using them on an angled rail as an alternative sight to their scope for short range. I am currently trying to set one up as a primary sight and am having some problems, but they will be addressed in time. As they come from the factory there is no way to adjust the height out of the box. For an AR-15 platform a 1/2" riser is too short, a 1" riser is too tall. Burris makes a shim system for this sight (9.95 per shim) in 1/8" and 1/4" sizes. They are intended for use with their Speed Dot shotgun mounting system and this sight. They will allow you to get the height you want in combination with a 1/2" riser. The problem is Burris does not include screws with the shims sets and the original screws are too short. It's not like you can run down to Lowe's and buy gun screws, although I don't know why not. So I am currently waiting for an email from Burris to address my problem, I'm sure there will be an additional charge. I originally purchased the Fast Fire w/piccatinny mount. Finding it would not co-witness with the risers I mentioned above, I purchased their "protective wing" mount. Same problem, still too low, even though i'ts slightly taller than the original. With the protective wing mount, the shims, the original sight and the unuseable original mount I'm getting close to $300 and that's not counting any charge that I may/will incurr for the screws I need. I still like the idea of a very light sight and mount and it's going on an old (A1 1/12) barreled flat top upper for blasting 3 gun and combat courses and just to make a little noise. I'm sure Burris will come to the rescue, it would have been nice if the shims and screws were in the original kit. LaRue mounts should work: 
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I'm thinking about getting a Burris Fastfire. Two reasons - 200 bucks at Midway with a built in mount, compared to 500 for an Aimpoint. It's going on my MP5/10, and the lower the sight the better based on the stock check weld. It may also Co-witness if it's real low - my EO -Tech is much higher. I know it's not as good as Aimpoints and such, but I'd like to hear from any owners: Battery life - OK? Does it hold zero? How's the quality, fit, finish? Any reason it's not a good buy at $200? Thanks, I have one on my 22 Ar. It used to be on my 9mm Ar. It is light and it works so far. Down sides is its a royal pain in the ass to zero. I mean extreem pain in the ass. I have had to to it twice now and it was not fun. Second the dot is supposed to be 4 moa but it looks more like 8 moa due to blooming of the dot. The dot is always too bright and you can not adjust it. Its a fine sight for 100 yards and in. But if you plan on shooting further out get a better optic. Pat 
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Okay I'll bite. Why is the Fastfire a pain in the ass to zero? Adjustments aren't uniform or? Not uniform and a very small movement goes a very very long way. You have to tighten the set screws after each movement then loosen them to move the adjustments again. It is very frustrating. Pat |
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I have one on a Browning Buckmark .22 pistol and I like it. It is a pain in the ass to zero. If I was to put it on a rifle I would get the Larue mount to make it tougher to damage. ...and there's the rub. Now you're in $350 and you could have just got an EOTech 512 to start with. The Fastfire works if you need something tiny, like on a pistol or on top of a scope. As a primary hard use combat sight, not so much. |
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I have one on a Browning Buckmark .22 pistol and I like it. It is a pain in the ass to zero. If I was to put it on a rifle I would get the Larue mount to make it tougher to damage. ...and there's the rub. Now you're in $350 and you could have just got an EOTech 512 to start with. The Fastfire works if you need something tiny, like on a pistol or on top of a scope. As a primary hard use combat sight, not so much. Well you get back up iron sights with the Larue set up and its only 300. I would rather get an Aimpoint than the Eotech. Pat |
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Most people are using them on an angled rail as an alternative sight to their scope for short range. .... For an AR-15 platform a 1/2" riser is too short, a 1" riser is too tall. Burris makes a shim system for this sight (9.95 per shim) in 1/8" and 1/4" sizes. .... it would have been nice if the shims and screws were in the original kit. +1 Burris definitely needs to include those shims! I got the FF with my XTR-14 combo but it's awkward sitting attop a high mounted scope as it comes. After much trial and error, I put it on a DD 1 o'clock mount and was happy with it zeroed @ 25yds. I tried using it as a primary optic with a 1/2" YHM riser on my new spike's SD .22 upper but you must have some sort of BUIS, otherwise the dot walks all over because it is a single plane sight. I had a matech rear and LMT fixed rail height front. It worked but wasn't the best solution. I just got MBUS sights and they are perfect! Your sight will be lower than normal and looking through the MBUS rear only the dot will be in the top portion of the sight. It's still a light weight optoin and perfect for a .22. The LaRue irondot is, I'm sure, the way to go if you want to use this as your primary optic! I didn't mind the zeroing process like others but it is not the easiest due to the set screws, I can agree there. |
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I have one on a Browning Buckmark .22 pistol and I like it. It is a pain in the ass to zero. If I was to put it on a rifle I would get the Larue mount to make it tougher to damage. ...and there's the rub. Now you're in $350 and you could have just got an EOTech 512 to start with. The Fastfire works if you need something tiny, like on a pistol or on top of a scope. As a primary hard use combat sight, not so much. Well you get back up iron sights with the Larue set up and its only 300. I would rather get an Aimpoint than the Eotech. Pat No, it's $349. |
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I have one on a Browning Buckmark .22 pistol and I like it. It is a pain in the ass to zero. If I was to put it on a rifle I would get the Larue mount to make it tougher to damage. ...and there's the rub. Now you're in $350 and you could have just got an EOTech 512 to start with. The Fastfire works if you need something tiny, like on a pistol or on top of a scope. As a primary hard use combat sight, not so much. Well you get back up iron sights with the Larue set up and its only 300. I would rather get an Aimpoint than the Eotech. Pat No, it's $349. ...unless you already have the Fastfire, at which point it is only 150 for the mount. |
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I went ahead and bought one. Thanks to all who provided info.
I can see what people mean when they say it's a pain to zero. The adjustments are locked in place via set screws, when will have to be loosened and then re-tightened each time. Plus, they're on the back of the sight, so if you have BUIS you have to have the Burris far enough forward to get a tool in there to loosen up the screws. It is nice and low, and co-witnesses with the sights on my Vector HK style MP5. I'll use the extra money compared to a better scope on ammo. |
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I went ahead and bought one. Thanks to all who provided info. I can see what people mean when they say it's a pain to zero. The adjustments are locked in place via set screws, when will have to be loosened and then re-tightened each time. Plus, they're on the back of the sight, so if you have BUIS you have to have the Burris far enough forward to get a tool in there to loosen up the screws. It is nice and low, and co-witnesses with the sights on my Vector HK style MP5. I'll use the extra money compared to a better scope on ammo. ARe you sure you have to tighten and loosen each time? I use them on my 3-gun Open Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun. I just loosen them up, sight it in and tighten them down––done. They didn't shift when tightened down that I noticed at 25 (pistol/rifle) and 50 yds(shotgun slugs) Nick |
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