The Burris FastFire III is an open-type red dot sight micro designed by the American company Burris Optics to offer a fast and compact aiming solution. Marketed since the mid-2010s, it has established itself as one of the most popular miniature DSLRs on the market thanks to its excellent value for money, lightness and versatility. It equips semi-automatic pistols, hunting rifles, shotguns and crossbows.
Burris Optics is an American company founded in 1971 in Greeley, Colorado, by Don Burris, a former optical designer at Redfield. Since 2002, the company has been a subsidiary of the Italian group Beretta Holding, which ensures its international distribution. Burris has historically distinguished itself with affordable and rugged hunting optics before turning to the tactical segment in the late 2000s.
The first FastFire was launched in 2007 as a direct competitor to the Docter Optic and the Trijicon RMR in the micro SLR segment. In 2012, the FastFire II brought a reinforced housing and a more economical LED. The FastFire III, unveiled around 2015, is a major evolution: the adjustment turrets go from screwdriver adjustment to an accessible external control, the CR1632 battery is replaced by a CR1632 (or CR2032 depending on the batch) that can be inserted from the top without disassembly, and the brightness modes now include a three-level manual adjustment in addition to the automatic mode.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Burris FastFire III | Designation |
| Country of Origin | United States (Burris Optics, Greeley, Colorado) |
| Manufacturer | Burris Optics (Beretta Holding Group) |
| Type | : Open reflex micro viewfinder |
| Production years | 2015 – present |
| Point size | 3 MOA or 8 MOA depending on model |
| 1× magnification | (without magnification) |
| 21 × 15 mm | lens window |
| Length | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Width | 25 mm (1.0 in) |
| Weight | ≈ 45 g (1.5 oz) without assembly |
| CR1632 Battery | Power Supply |
| Battery life | ≈ 5,000 hours (automatic mode) |
| Brightness modes: | 3 manual levels + automatic mode |
| Windage/elevation adjustment | 1 click = 1 MOA |
| Docter / Noblex mounting footprint (Burris FastFire footprint) | |
| Waterproof | : Waterproof, shockproof, anti-fog |
The FastFire III is based on the classic optical principle of the DSLR sight: a light-emitting diode (LED) placed at the base of the case projects a red dot on a coated semi-reflective lens, which reflects it back to the shooter’s eye without significant parallax. This allows the shooter to align the point on the target with both eyes open, without having to precisely center the eye behind the optics, which allows for extremely fast target acquisition.
The housing is machined from a lightweight aluminum alloy treated with matt black anodizing. The main innovation of the FastFire III compared to its predecessors is the external adjustment turrets: the vertical fin and elevation are adjusted via two tool-free screws, each click moving the point of impact by one minute of angle (approx. 29 mm at 100 meters). The battery compartment is on top, allowing replacement without disassembling the optics of its holder and therefore without losing the zero.
The ambient light sensor automatically manages the intensity of the point, with the ability to switch to three manual levels — low, medium, high — via the side button. This double option makes the lens usable both indoors and in direct sunlight on a bright background. The mounting footprint, known as the Docter/Noblex (sometimes referred to as the “Burris FastFire footprint”), is one of the most common on the market and fits a wide range of Optic-Ready guns and Picatinny dovetails with adapter plate.
The FastFire III is available in two point sizes: the 3 MOA version, which is intended for medium-range target marksmanship, and the 8 MOA version, which is preferred by hunters and action shooters for its increased visibility on the move. Burris sells the sight alone or with a low or high Picatinny mounting plate, which allows it to be adapted directly to a rifle or shotgun without additional investment. A more recent version, the FastFire 4, introduces multiple reticles and improved robustness in 2022, but the FastFire III remains in the catalog for its value for money.
Unlike premium optics like the Aimpoint or Trijicon RMR, the Burris FastFire III primarily targets the civilian market and the amateur sports shooter segment. It is widely used in the United States and Europe by wild boar, deer or small game hunters, target shooters and competitors of the IPSC / IDPA disciplines in the Optics Production category. Some local U.S. police forces also use it as a secondary optics on backup weapons, although it is not listed in the regulatory inventories of major federal forces.
In Switzerland, the Burris FastFire III is available for purchase from specialist gunsmiths and sports optics distributors. As a weapon accessory (optical sight), its sale is not restricted by the Federal Weapons Act (LArm), unlike silencers or laser sights, which are subject to an exceptional authorisation. The purchaser must obviously legally possess the weapon on which he wishes to mount the optics, in accordance with the provisions of the LArm concerning the firearms acquisition permit. The installation of a reflex sight on an Optic-Ready pistol or a rifled rifle legally owned does not change the legal status of the weapon and does not require any action to be taken by the cantonal authorities.
The Burris FastFire III has established itself as a benchmark for affordable DSLR sight thanks to its successful compromise between robustness, autonomy and affordable price. It offers sport shooters, hunters, and casual users a serious alternative to premium optics without compromising reliability. Its widely used mounting footprint and the availability of adapter plates make it a versatile choice for pistols, rifles and rifles, confirming Burris’ place as one of the must-have brands in the micro reflex sight market.
