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
• C