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

[nickE10mm]

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...

[Lloyd Smale]

Im not a fan of optics on handguns but given the choise between those two options would take the fast fire hands down. I had fiber optics on one of my 1911 comp guns and it was allways breaking. recoil would seem to do it as would holstering. I also bought a set of williams fire sights for my marlin 444 when i first got it. Sighted the gun in and did some shooting with it and went to take it hunting one day and pulled it out of the safe and the fiber tube was gone! To me there just to fragile to trust in the hunting field or for self defense. If it were mine and i couldnt see the sights anymore and had to go with an optic id be putting an aimpoint micro on it. there tough as nails but the problem there is your going to pay double what that burris costs if not more so if budget is a consern which it appears to be id give that burris a try. Good thing is if it doesnt hold up burris will probably replace it and then you can sell it and try something else.

[nickE10mm]

Im not a fan of optics on handguns but given the choise between those two options would take the fast fire hands down. I had fiber optics on one of my 1911 comp guns and it was allways breaking. recoil would seem to do it as would holstering. I also bought a set of williams fire sights for my marlin 444 when i first got it. Sighted the gun in and did some shooting with it and went to take it hunting one day and pulled it out of the safe and the fiber tube was gone! To me there just to fragile to trust in the hunting field or for self defense. If it were mine and i couldnt see the sights anymore and had to go with an optic id be putting an aimpoint micro on it. there tough as nails but the problem there is your going to pay double what that burris costs if not more so if budget is a consern which it appears to be id give that burris a try. Good thing is if it doesnt hold up burris will probably replace it and then you can sell it and try something else.

I've not had a BIG problem with FO rubes breaking but it HAS happened... (just not when it really matters).  I with either get the protected tube FO (HiViz) or go with the FF3, or I might even CONSIDER the Ultradot.  Not sure

My biggest issue is with the size / unweildiness, weight and mounting system (read: it must go on and come off easily and use the stock barrel dovetail as there are many trips when I might opt NOT to have an optic).

Thanks!

[nickE10mm]

Looks like I'm gonna go with the Fastfire 3.... If I try and and absolutely can't work with it, I'll probably either 1) return it and go with the Ultradot (1" or 30mm undecided) and some LOW RUGER rings or 2) just put the FF on another pistol (G29 or Fusion 10mm).

We'll see!!

[bluecow]

i have fiber op. on my sbh with a one ragged hole rear.  it works well for me no problems so far

[nickE10mm]

i have fiber op. on my sbh with a one ragged hole rear.  it works well for me no problems so far

Thanks....  and while I do like peep sights, I don't believe them to be the most pinpoint "accurate", although they are convenient and easy to use, and possibly very quick to employ.  Still, I'm going to pick up my Fastfire very soon, as I've already got the base mounted to my revolver.  GETTING CLOSE NOW!

(FWIW, if I don't like the system, I'll simply return the sight and get one of the HiViz FO front sights and be done with it.  I'll either keep the FF3 for another pistol or return it, too.

Can't wait to test it out

[Bigeasy]

I think you will like that Fastfire.  I have one mounted on a .45 1911, and on an AR 15, and they work well in both applications.  Those dot sights can really help with old eyes, or in the field under less then optimal shooting conditions.  That Ultra Dot is also a nice sight for the money.  I have had one mounted on a Redhawk since the mid 1980's, with thousands of heavy rounds thru it, and it still works as well as new, minus the lettering on the sight having worn off..
 
Larry

[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!

[nickE10mm]

Range report this weekend hopefully!

[Bigeasy]

Nice looking rig...
 
Larry

[nickE10mm]

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.



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!

[gcrank1]

Lovin' that 50yd'er!!!
If its holes in the right place ya gotta use the right equipment; looks like you found yours 
BTW, 30ish years ago the 100yd. target of choice was 'pop' cans, make them suckers jump & dance (pretty regular and with open sights; my, how my eyes have changed....).