At 62, the eyes aren't what they used to be so I'm thinking of
topping my FA 83 in .454 with a red dot sight. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to handgun hunting and like my big bore revolvers neat and trim so something small. I may not like it so want to keep the cost down and was thinking of the Burris.
Do any of you have experience with this sight and would appreciate any feed back on your experience with red dots.
Thanks

Try it - I think you'll like it once you get use to finding the dot quickly. I have a couple Leupold DeltaPoints but I think the FastFire & JPoint etc are about the same - may have different dot sizes but the quality is probably just as good.

Not having to concentrate on sight alignment and that front sight is a good thing for us ole farts. Just keep both eyes open and squeeze.

This is good for farts of all ages!

I am a younger fart (31), and I find the Fastfire III to be the perfect compromise of a sighting solution and trimmer combination. The advantage of shooting with both eyes open partnered with the benefits of having a clear sight picture have allowed me to become a better shooter.

There are other holo/reflex sights that are good options, but I really preferred some of the features in the newest model of the fastfire. Prior to its arrival, I most likely would have went with the delta point or j-point.

Some of the other guys on here have them and I am sure they will chime in. I will say that I dreaded putting anything on my gun because I loved the sleekness of hunting with iron sights, but now I would never go back to irons for a hunting gun.

I would echo SBHunter on his thoughts about the Fastfire iii. I liked the trim size, accuracy, and features better than the other quite capable red dots available. A gentleman on this forum was kind enough to meet me at the range, and allow me to test drive several different dot sights. For me, the fastfire was love at first sight picture! I'll never use another conventional scope on a revolver, and my eyes arent good enough for irons at daybreak or dusk. After much practice, I'm confident to 80 yds using this sight. 100 in an ideal situation, wouldn't be completely out of the question.

Gentlemen, thank you for your response they were really helpful and have convinced me to try a fastfire on my FA 83. I'm having trouble finding a mount for the fastfire and FA83 combo. any recommendations? I really would like to keep things as small and low as possible as this is a 4.75" barreled gun. Thanks

Email Burris and they should be able to help you. That's how I figured out which mount would work for my super blackhawk.

OK, got the fastfire ordered and on its way. Called Burris for mounting suggestions for my FA 83 and spoke to Brian who checked with another tech and they had no mounts for the FA83 but he pulled up a picture of the 83 and said he was going to send me two mounts that might work. I asked how much? He said no charge!
Just call him back and tell him what works so he could tell other customers. WOW! How"s that for try. Sure restores my faith in customer service. Will let you all know how it all comes together.

Indeed. That is above and beyond what many will do. Good luck.

I just ordered one of these for my Smith 500 along with a Jack Weigand weaver mount. Nice to see others are considering it for hunting, I was a little concerned about my decision, being brand new to handgun hunting.

FAH - any luck with the mount?


Bshaw- let us know how you like it.

I will when I get it. Cancelled the order from Botach due to back order re ordered from Midway will have it 11/5.

One thing I've noticed about the red dot reflex type sights is that most mounts have that sight perched just a tad high. Nothing wrong with that except you really have to practice to bring that puppy up and have that dot pop up in the window without searching for it. Time difference is maybe 2 seconds at most.

Give that Weigand mount a try but if you don't like it there are a few mounts out there that will lower the red dot and you just might find it faster to get on target - especially a moving target, but a moving target isn't the norm for most of us.

One place that sells a lower mount for the Smith X-Frame is here:
http://www.allchingunparts.com/

Here's the difference between the Weigand and the deltaPoint base for the X-Frame Smith:
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I saw that on an earlier post, that's very slick and made me want to send the Weigand back, but I'll wait and see how this set up works. By the way is your .500 a John Ross 5"?

Yes it is - I started out with the SW 4" but the concussion from the little guy shooting under a canopy was just too much for me, even when I double plugged. The 4" model handled the 500 grain bullets at warp speed much gentler than the Ross does but I'm much happier with the Ross model once Jim Stroh worked his magic on getting the cylinder throats right.

How does the Fastfire III handle the recoil of the big-bore handguns? I plan on mounting the new sight on my 454 this weekend.

I put one on the Rem 12 ga 3" 1100 "tactical" shotgun I built. I LOVE IT! With the picatinny rail mount and the side protector It's rugged as hell. The dot is small enough to be able to shoot a 3" group of 3" Foster type slugs @ 100 yds. Being able to shoot with both eyes open is a REAL plus.

Glad to hear that. Thanks!

Ok, I received the two mounts from Burris and neither of them fit the FA83. The Fastfire III works with a picatinny type mount.
I would like to keep the mount as small as possible for a clean/ minimalist profile so that eliminates a T Sob type mount.
I've spoken directly with Burris and FA and neither of them are familiar with each others product or mounting requirements.
Any suggestions, anyone using a Fastfire III on their FA 83?
thanks

Hmm...how do the j-points mount on the FA?

Freedom Arms makes a mount that fits the J-point and Leupold Delta Point. The mounting holes on this mount do not line up with the Burris Fastfire correctly...the Fastfire will mount on the base but it doesn't sit flush on the base (the rear of the Fastfire sight hangs over the rear of the mount IIRC).

Check out Jack Weigand's site. He makes a weaver style mount for the FA and its much smaller than the T'SOB.

Weigand FA Mount

If you wanted it smaller, I believe wapitirod has machined some to matchs evenely with the frame for a few fellows here.

I have Jack's mount on my Bisley and it works fine:


One advantage is that I can change to a tube dot or scope if I feel the need.

Weigand discontinued making those bases. Checked with Brownells, and Mounting Solutions. No one has a base for the FA and Fastfire combo. I may send the fastfire back although it does have some nice features, and order a delta point at least I know FA makes a base for that.

Sorry to hear of your situation FAH. Hope it comes to a conclusion for you soon so you can get out there shooting!

J point mounts are seamless on the M83.

The FastFire III came in today all in all I am impressed with it small, light weight dot is clear and crisp.

Took the Weigand mount out of it's packaging and I am not impressed with it. The machine work is rather sloppy IMO, but I put it on the Smith anyway, torqued the screws to 20 in lbs and one of the Torx heads stripped out, put the FastFire on it and it's rocking forward and aft like the Weaver slots aren't cut deep enough. Took the FastFire off and put it on a spare AR upper rail and it fits like a glove.

Now I have to drill out the stripped screw and get this thing off my revolver. Guess I'll order the mini STS mount.

It's always something isn't it?

Haven't been online for a while due to some family health issues, but the mount came in and I'm very pleased with it. Did some minor grinding on the under side of the forward tang so it would sit tighter on the frame but I'm always fooling with something.

I've taken it out several times but haven't gotten close enough to a deer to warrant taking a shot yet, but there is still time.