Help me decide - Fastfire or Fiber Optic front only? (Ruger .44)

nickE10mm · 01-22-2013, 06:52

Hi all,

I'm taking a poll to help me decide whether or not to put a Burris Fastfire 3 (reflex dot) on my Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag or not.

Admittedly, I've never been much of a scope guy (on handguns, at least) and when I had a Leupold 2X on my Dan Wesson I really didn't like the way it carried most of the time. Keep this in mind, however... before, I had to permanently mount the scope to the Dan Wesson, plus it was much heavier and was magnified, whereas in this situation, I'll be able to remove the sight whenever I like but will give me the option to put it ON based on where or what I'm hunting that particular day since the Ruger has integral mounts. Also, the Fastfire 3 is a little and very lightweight sight. Its also a sight that I could use on other firearms if I so wished.

I just tried the Williams Fiber Optic Firesights on my Ruger but am returning them today because my POI is about 6 inches left with them installed (but dead on with the stock Ruger sights), and I actually CHECKED THIS AGAIN a different day at the range, double verified. Rather than keep messing with them with a warranty or exchange, I'd rather just buy either a 1) standalone HiViz FO front sight or 2) a reflex optic. I normally prefer a good set of FO's since I can shoot open sights well out past 50 yards for the most part but I got to thinking how very nice my friend's JPoint reflex was on his G20. I have VERY good eyesight but think I might want an unmagnified dot to assist in long shots on game, be it deer, coyotes or other varmints.

The main issue I'm looking at is cash. The Williams Firesight (front AND rear FO) was $40. The HiViz FO sight (front FO sight only) is $40 or so. The Burris is $40 for the Ruger mount ONLY, plus $240 for the sight. It gets very good reviews but I've not heard of many people actually using one on a hunting revolver.

The question is, do I return the Firesight for another front sight (HiViz) for an even exchange of cash or do I exchange the Williams for a Ruger mount and buy the Fastfire after I've saved up the cash (a month or so maybe?).

Any firsthand experiences? Any comments?

Thanks in advance!

Here is my Ruger...

Here's a copuple guys who've done it before...

nickE10mm · 01-26-2013, 11:17

Anyone?

ss30378 · 02-04-2013, 13:03

Nick i use the HiViz sights on all of my handguns (1911s, glocks and ruger revolvers) and for all "normal" hunting if you have good eyes work very well. Even at dawn/dusk the sight is very visible. The burris and trudot sights i have used get the advantage in the dark when hunting by artificial light for hogs or predators. I've used both but I am still a fan of iron sights in the end. The gun is a little less bulky and I can still see fine during dawn and dusk. So if night hunting isn't on the list then go with the FO and save some $$$. I have found that hog hunting during the day is better with iron sights because you have full view of whats around instead of just whats in the sight tube.

nickE10mm · 02-04-2013, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss30378

Nick i use the HiViz sights on all of my handguns (1911s, glocks and ruger revolvers) and for all "normal" hunting if you have good eyes work very well. Even at dawn/dusk the sight is very visible. The burris and trudot sights i have used get the advantage in the dark when hunting by artificial light for hogs or predators. I've used both but I am still a fan of iron sights in the end. The gun is a little less bulky and I can still see fine during dawn and dusk. So if night hunting isn't on the list then go with the FO and save some $$$. I have found that hog hunting during the day is better with iron sights because you have full view of whats around instead of just whats in the sight tube.

Thanks for the response. I'm honestly an iron sights man myself, but I can't help but love the idea of a SINGLE aiming point for shots 45-100yards where irons are really not that usable in the field. Not having to mod my revolver is a main reason I'm getting a FF since I can always remove it and go back to stock.

Have you seen the Firesights at all? If so, how do they compare to the HiViz in brightness?

Thanks!

nickE10mm · 02-05-2013, 17:50

FASTFIRE 3 IS ORDERED! WOOHOO!! Should be here before the weekend ... Unfortunately I won't be shooting the gun until NEXT weekend, but ill sure be fondling it!

ca survivor · 02-06-2013, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickE10mm

FASTFIRE 3 IS ORDERED! WOOHOO!! Should be here before the weekend ... Unfortunately I won't be shooting the gun until NEXT weekend, but ill sure be fondling it!

wow, one suggestion only and you went FASTFIRE, I was going for iron sights

nickE10mm · 02-06-2013, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca survivor

wow, one suggestion only and you went FASTFIRE, I was going for iron sights

Not only had I really made up my mind (I think) before even posting, but the goal of this post was to get impressions and reviews of people who had done one of the listed options.

Also, I had this posted in five other forums that actually gave quite a few responses.

nickE10mm · 02-12-2013, 14:58

Got my Fastfire 3! Here's the preliminary photos ... will be mounting it up tonight... more pics later or tomorrow!

http://s1253.beta.photobucket.com/us...y/fastfire%203

nickE10mm · 02-13-2013, 11:40

Range report this weekend hopefully!

nickE10mm · 02-17-2013, 17:30

Okay, all ...

Went to the range this morning and all I can say is WOW! The Fastfire 3 has turned my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter into a precision hunting instrument!

I only had about 75 rounds loaded for today's session but I had good luck with my loads.

Here is my last target of the day at 25y shooting a 240gr LSWC over 9.0gr WSF. I tainted the beautiful target with a mag from my Glock 29 (circled in yellow in middle) but the other two groups are a cylinder-full each. Nice little knots in the paper.

Below is a 50 ***YARD*** cylinder full I lucked out on

Another 25y group...

Here is the LAST SHOT OF THE DAY @ 25y, I had one round left, popped it in, clicked shut the loading gate and sat down quickly, snap-shooting at the small bulls. BINGO.

nickE10mm · 02-17-2013, 17:31

Here is the setup with the cover on the Fastfire... very cool

Here is the setup as I will probably typically carry it in the woods

After getting used to this setup, I found it amazingly easy to make hits, even at long range. It was quite windy today so I saw no need to worry about spreading groups out at 100y, although I did shoot 5-10 rounds at that range. I need to play with this setup some more... and I need something to shoot at that "isn't" paper.

I'm gonna start working up loads for accuracy now ... I'm thinking 250gr Keiths, flat based, with both 2400 and WSF. MMMMM

I'm probably leaving something out on this review ... so I'll follow up later!

ModGlock17 · 02-18-2013, 06:28

Awesome, Nick.

I think I need to stay on your good side.

nickE10mm · 02-18-2013, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModGlock17

Awesome, Nick.

I think I need to stay on your good side.

Tablerock · 02-19-2013, 07:55

Not bad....Not bad...!

Dakotaota · 02-25-2013, 06:30

Nice setup. Where did you end up getting your FF3? And what size dot did you go with? Im looking to get one soon and was curious where I could get a good price.

nickE10mm · 02-25-2013, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakotaota

Nice setup. Where did you end up getting your FF3? And what size dot did you go with? Im looking to get one soon and was curious where I could get a good price.

I got mine from MidwayUSA... OpticsPlanet had it for nearly the same price IIRC but ill aways buy from Midway if its close.

I got the 3MOA dot. For hunting, there is no other choice.

ModGlock17 · 02-25-2013, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickE10mm

?...

I got the 3MOA dot. For hunting, there is no other choice.

I'm really happy with dot sights as well. The 3 MOA size is excellent.

At some 10yrds and beyond, regardless of pistol brands, a typical front sight just covers up a 2" target dot such that you can't be any more precise.

Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

nickE10mm · 02-25-2013, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModGlock17

I'm really happy with dot sights as well. The 3 MOA size is excellent.

At some 10yrds and beyond, regardless of pistol brands, a typical front sight just covers up a 2" target dot such that you can't be any more precise.

Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

Yep ...

People keep saying "i don't like the red dots because they cover up the target at distance" ...

My argument here is that, while it does cover it up a bit, its definitely no worse than open sights or any other 1x magnification system.... Sure, it doesn't magnify, but covering up the target isn't really an issue to me...

Dakotaota · 02-25-2013, 08:51

Thanks...I usually buy from midway also, but they currently outta stock. Guess I will BO one and wait for it to come in. Thanks guys!

nickE10mm · 02-25-2013, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakotaota

Thanks...I usually buy from midway also, but they currently outta stock. Guess I will BO one and wait for it to come in. Thanks guys!

I did the same thing. It came in within days.