Burris Fastfire 3 vs Trijicon RMR: Which Red Dot Is Better?

The Burris Fastfire 3 and the Trijicon RMR are two of the best red dot sights I’ve ever used.

I noticed they’re quite similar in terms of build, performance, and target acquisition, so I wanted to compare which of the two is actually better.

If you are in a similar position, you’ve come to the right place!

I launch into a side-by-side comparison of these extraordinary optics hailing from two of the giants in the firearm accessories industry.

Overview of the Burris Fastfire 3

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Specifications:

• Type: Open/active
• Mount: None
• Dimensions: 1 x 1.9 x 1
• Weight: 0.9 oz
• Objective lens diameter: 21×15 mm
• Reticle: 3 MOA red dot

Burris is an optic brand known for its accuracy, durability, and innovation.

With nearly 50 years of experience in optical engineering, it’s no surprise why they are considered one of the gun market leaders. 

The Burris Fastfire 3, which is considered to be an upgrade of their Burris Fastfire 2, is one of their most lauded products.

Here’s why:

• Small and compact design (perfect for use on a Glock!)
• Extremely lightweight
• Large viewing window
• Incredible accuracy
• Easy to mount and adjust 
• Speedy target acquisition 
• 4 brightness settings with automatic mode
• Auto turn-off function

As one of the most lightweight red dot sights on the market, this is a great choice even for beginners. 

Design

For starters, when I first held the sight, its design was small and compact. I figured it was just the right size for pistols and handguns.

Turns out, I was right! It worked perfectly on my Glock!

But that doesn’t take away its compatibility with rifles as well! Because of its size, I mainly prefer to use it on my Glock but it works with either.

Mounting

I have used it as an existing sight or and as a primary sight, which speaks to its versatility!

Once you’ve found the right insert, all you need to do is remove the factory rear sight to mount it on.

Adjustments

I was able to get any windage and elevation adjustments necessary done quickly with the supplied tool.

It makes my adjustments snappy and hassle-free! After all, time is of the essence out on the field.

However, if you lose the tool, you can easily use a coin or even a shell casing instead. 

Brightness

A SINGLE, simple button is all it takes to maneuver between the 4 brightness settings on this red dot sight.

I mentioned that time is off the essence out on the field, and the quick switching between brightness settings is another reason why I love this sight.

Regardless of what brightness settings you choose, you can be assured of a crisp and clear red dot to give you a precision advantage.

Other Features

The Burris Fastfire 3 even has an auto turnoff function that shuts down the sight after 9 hours of inactivity.

After forgetting to turn off my red dots in the past, I am grateful for this feature.

I need not worry about needlessly cutting down battery life due to forgetfulness. 

All in all, this is a great red dot sight for a pistol. In the case of any mishaps, it comes with the Burris forever warranty.

If you’re interested to know even more, I also recommend this sight in my Best Shotgun Red Dots buying guide.

Overview of the Trijicon RMR

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Specifications:

• Mount: Picatinny mount
• Dimensions: 1 x 1.8 x 1
• Weight: 1.2 oz
• Objective lens diameter: 22×16 mm
• Reticle: 3.5 or 6.5 MOA red dot

Trijicon is an American optic company known for its superior light aiming systems. 

Since its founding in 1981, Trijicon has made top-of-the-line optics that have been trusted by state and law enforcement agencies for decades.

In fact, Trijicon is one of the official suppliers of scopes for the US Marine Corps.

While they are known for catering to rifles, they also make a great red dot sight for pistols in their RMR sight. 

Let’s see what makes it great:

• Low profile
• Durable
• Clear glass lens
• Incredibly lightweight
• Amazing accuracy
• Easy to view red dot
• Great for night vision purposes

The 6.5 MOA dot on this RMR-type sight is perfect for close-quarter combat. 

However, this may be too much for long-range shooting.

It is recommended to switch to the 3.5 MOA dot for longer ranges, which is also available for this model.  

Usage

One of the RMR’s strengths is its night vision capabilities.

I’ve had a lot of successful hunts wherein I didn’t have to struggle or lose my targets, making the Trijicon RMR a good companion to carry around.

That says a lot about its target acquisition and image quality, especially at night.

Brightness

Turning the sight on will automatically put it into the auto adjustment function.

This auto-brightness function means you don’t need to be adjusting brightness manually, making it ideal for older shooters and those with eye problems. 

For me personally, it saves me a lot of time in between acquiring targets and sighting in.

However, if you prefer to make brightness adjustments manually, a single button can switch between automatic and manual brightness.

When on auto-brightness, the Trijicon RMR can go for more than 18 months even when left on 24/7 on a single battery.

Durability

The sight is made of forged aluminum material with a tough anodized coating.

In other words, it’s tough and strong!

It can withstand even 300 rounds through a Gen4 Glock19 MOS without issues.

The multi-colored lenses on this sight allow for wide-band light transmission to minimize the change in the target area. 

Mounting

This reflex sight may require an adapter plate to be mounted on certain gun models, such as the Glock 10mm.

TAKE NOTE: There have also been reports of the sight having a mind of its own and turning on and off whenever it pleases.

But don’t worry — this is when the excellent customer service of Trijicon comes into play. They’re willing to help you whenever, wherever!

I also recommend this product in my Top Shotgun Optics Guide if you want to know more.

Burris Fastfire 3 vs Trijicon RMR: The Similarities

There are several aspects where the Burris Fastfire and the Trijicon RMR share the same features.

To save you some time, here’s a quick overview:

• Type: Open/active
• Reticle color: Red
• Magnification: 1x
• Eye relief: Unlimited
• Parallax Setting: Parallax free
• Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA

Burris Fastfire 3 vs Trijicon RMR: The Differences

Before I go in-depth at where the Burris Fastfire 3 and the Trijicon RMR differ, let us take a glance at some of the major differences between them

Burris Fastfire 3:

• Origin: Philippines
• Max elevation adjustment: 115 MOA
• Max windage adjustment: 86 MOA

Trijicon RMR:

• Origin: USA
• Max elevation adjustment: 150 MOA
• Max windage adjustment: 150 MOA

With the technical differences out of the way, let us compare the Trijicon RMR and Burris Fastfire 3 in more depth.

Price Ranges

One thing I immediately noticed is the price.

The Burris Fastfire 3 is known to be one of the most affordable red dots on the market.

The Trijicon RMR, on the other hand, is known to be a rather expensive option. It may not be the best reflex sight for someone on a budget.

I also have a guide on the best red dots as cheap as $100 if you’re interested in more budget options.

WINNER: Burris

Durability

The Trijicon RMR has a unique patented housing shape that increases durability by absorbing impact and diverting stresses away from the lens.

This unique design, combined with its tough aluminum construction and anodized coating, makes this Trijicon reflex sight extremely difficult to break.

The Burris Fastfire 3, on the other hand, is probably one of, if not THE toughest miniature sight on the market.

I didn’t want to test their durability by dropping them from high heights, but the Burris Fastfire doesn’t have anything unique that can rival the RMR.

While the Burris sight can definitely rival other red dot sights on the market in terms of durability, it is still no match for the strength of the Trijicon RMR.

WINNER: Trijicon

Battery Power

The CR1632 battery on the Burris has a battery life of up to five years,  thanks to the automatic time-out feature on the sight, which shuts it off after 8 hours of idle time. 

On top of that, it comes with a low battery warning indicator to warn you when you’re low on battery power.

This is much needed, especially if you’re like me who doesn’t always check the battery levels.

Battery change is easy since the battery is on top of the sight, making it accessible and eliminating the need to remove the whole thing  when it’s time to change.

The Trijicon, on the other hand, makes use of a CR2032 Lithium Battery which can be used for 2 years.

However, it has a battery life of up to 5 years in dark storage.

The Trijicon has a power conservation mode to automatically lower the brightness of the illuminated aiming dot after 16.5 hours.

This feature makes for the lack of the auto-shutoff feature of the Burris,

When on brightness level 3, it can run continuously for years without needing a battery change.

However, I ran into a problem when changing the battery.

As the battery is located underneath, you may need to disassemble the sight first to change the battery.

WINNER: Burris

Optics

The Burris Fastfire 3 boasts a large window with a light blue tone and clear optics despite its small-scale design.

This makes it easier for me to tighten shot groups during target acquisition. 

The Trijicon, on the other hand, has two choices of MOA dot: 3.5 MOA or 6.5 MOA.

Regardless of which MOA dot you choose, the red dot sight will be easily discernible under any light conditions.

The high-quality glass lens aids it with upgraded electronics, which allow for a clear sight picture to assist in fast acquisition.

WINNER: Trijicon

Eye Box & Eye Relief

Both of these sights have unlimited eye relief. However, it can be difficult to aim the Trijicon RMR with both eyes open.

You may also need your eye to get a better view through the glass.

It was a bit difficult to match my shots up with my dominant hand, thus making target acquisition more difficult.

WINNER: Burris

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does RMR Stand for in Trijicon?

RMR stands for “Ruggedized Miniature Reflex Sight.” It is basically a modified Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG).

Will Burris Fastfire 3 Fit the Trijicon RMR Cut?

NO.

The Burris Fastfire 3 does not have the same mounting pattern as an RMR type sight and thus will not fit an RMR cut.

What Red Dots Have the Same Footprint as the Trijicon RMR?

The RMR type footprint features two holes for screws and two sockets for the pins on the mount/adapter. The sockets are situated in each corner on the front of the footprint.

Some red dots that share this same footprint include:

• Trijicon SRO
• Holosun HS407C
• Holosun HS508T
• ADE Advanced Optics RD3-020 Raptor

TAKE NOTE: A Trijicon footprint usually features sockets that are bigger in diameter and located farther apart.

Final Verdict: Which Red Dot Sight Is Better?

With better battery features, durability, and a less painful price tag, I believe that the Burris Fastfire 3 is the better red dot sight to be your primary optic.

This optic will deliver the best possible quality for your gun without breaking the bank.

HOWEVER, if you want something that can fit into an RMR footprint, you’d be better off with the Trijicon RMR.

FINAL TIP: If you’re still undecided, you can look for even more options in my buying guide for the best AR15 red dot sights.