Burris FastFire Red Dot Scope - use on vintage guns

[65bee]

Have any members had experience with the Burris FastFire red-dot scope? I have a Winchester 54 Carbine bolt gun in .30 WCF in excellent original condition which I acquired last winter. It has a period vintage Redfield receiver sight on it which I have been using, even though my 6-decade old eyes are not what they used to be. For those of you familar with the Winchester model 54, it was the Daddy to the model 70, being made from 1925 to 1936 or so. The Model 70 being an improved and upgraded version. Being pre-scope era guns, they were not drilled & tapped for conventional scope mounts as we know them today, although the front receiver bridge was d&t with two factory holes. The rear bridge was not d&t. In addition, the model 54's bolt handle was not designed for the mounting of a scope. Today, it is rare to find a model 54 that has not had the bolt handle altered/replaced at some time for this reason. Anyway, I wanted to hunt with this classic carbine and needed some type of optical sighting system, but did not want to alter the originality. After some research, I discovered the Burris FastFire scope. This is a red-dot type scope, but in miniature size. It weighs only 1.9 oz. and is designed for mounting on handguns. It utilizes a picatinny/weaver style mount system. Since my 54 was d&t for a conventional front weaver base, I ordered one and just today got it mounted. I can't believe how small and compact this sight is. It nestles right on top of my guns receiver bridge, out of the way. This is a remarkable unit. I haven't shot the gun yet, but will let you know how it performs at the first opportunity. Burris makes mounts for this sight for the Marlin lever guns, and I can honestly believe it would be the cats' meow for us vintage guys with aging eyeballs.

[mescalero1]

Thanks from all of geezers, please let us know how it works out.

[crs]

We are waiting with baited breath for pictures and a range report.

[AJMD429]

It should work nicely, but be prepared for the traditionalists who will say "Red-Dot EVIL - only for EBR's - not vintage guns with wood stock..."

I've seen people shoot muzzleloaders, including flint-locks, with red-dot sights, and so far no demons have grabbed them and turned them into salt pillars or anything. I don't think the game animals they shoot laugh much, either.

I keep trying peeps and all sorts of sights, but often come back to large-bell optical scopes, just because of the 'old eyes' thing... A good ghost-ring peep IS compact and rugged, though.

[Old Ironsights]

...I've seen people shoot muzzleloaders, including flint-locks, with red-dot sights, and so far no demons have grabbed them and turned them into salt pillars or anything. ...

That's cause they get turned into saltpetre...

[AJMD429]

That's cause they get turned into saltpetre...

[mescalero1]

OI,
Go to your room

[pokey]

We are waiting with baited breath for pictures and a range report.

+1

[Bruce]

My eyes are causing me to think along the same lines. I went rabbit hunting last week with my BL-22 and missed more than I care to admit. I just could not focus on the iron sights and the rabbit(s) head at the same time. I actually went by the gun shop and tried some scope and red dot configurations and have not found one that fits me yet. I know that Burris is now specifically making a red dot/reflex (Speed Dot I think) for Marlin Lever Guns and I thnk it will be a hit once it gets out in the field and gets exposure. I just need to find one that will fit a 22's narrow base.

[HORACE]

I also don't have the eyes I used to take for granted.

I now have to go to optics, even though I really love peep sights like Williams etc.

Recently, I purchased a cheap halographic sight off the dreaded Ebay (from Hong Kong -I think it cost about $35 Oz) to put on my 94 SS 44Mag.

Let me tell you its bloody excellent!

I know its only cheap, but now that I realize this type of sight works for me, I think I'll investigate something like the Burris for a bit more quality and reliability.

I say go for whatever works for you!

[Old Time Hunter]

It ain't pretty, but my eleven year old daughter is accurate with it:

[Streetstar]

results count --- go for it! I don't know if i would drill any extra holes for one, but if i could get a mount using existing holes --- i would

[65bee]

Just got back to the forum and see that there are some members who object to the 'red-dot' technology on vintage guns. Well, I have to admit that it was a bitter pill for me to swallow too. I hate change too, but I will grudgingly accept it if it truly is for the better. I have used iron sights all my life, but have found that in the last ten years (I am 60 now) it has become increasingly difficult to enjoy my old guns. In fact, it has been downright frustrating. I have even let many of my old lever guns go simply because they just sat in the gun cabinet. I desperately wanted to hunt with them again, but kept grabbing a scope-sighted modern rifle every time I hit the woods. I stayed away from the regular red-dot sights because they were ugly and obtrusive. I have to say, this new Burris FastFire is so revolutionary, I think it may turn the optics world on end. It is rated to withstand up to 1,000Gs of recoil force. You can mount it on the slide of semi-auto handguns. It is so small, it doesn't look out of place on a handgun either. It is easy to zero. They even make what they call a 'Protector Mount' which has ears on the sides to protect the sight when in the field. I used this mount on my Model 54. The red-dot is rated to cover 4 MOA at 100 yards. That is no worse than a conventional bead front sight. If this monsoon we are having here in northern New England right now ever ends, I will get it on target and report back ASAP!

[JerryB]

I think that using a sight that will help you make sure hits in a hunting or a self defense shooting is really the sane thing to do.Right now I can still shoot with iron sights and hit my point of aim. I am 70 and that will change but for now I still feel confident. The Lord has blessed me with good eyes for now. A man should use a sighting system you need not what someone else approves of.

[jeepnik]

It should work nicely, but be prepared for the traditionalists who will say "Red-Dot EVIL - only for EBR's - not vintage guns with wood stock..."

I've seen people shoot muzzleloaders, including flint-locks, with red-dot sights, and so far no demons have grabbed them and turned them into salt pillars or anything. I don't think the game animals they shoot laugh much, either.

I keep trying peeps and all sorts of sights, but often come back to large-bell optical scopes, just because of the 'old eyes' thing... A good ghost-ring peep IS compact and rugged, though.

You speak true. I've had folks at the range look at my setup and accuse me of such things. Yet, it allows me to shoot accurately, which in the field is all that matters.

[AJMD429]

I just need to find one that will fit a 22's narrow base.

There is a cheap but effective regular width 'Weaver' base rail with a groove in the bottom that slips over the ".22" width one, and has a whole slew of holes in it to match nearly any spacing; I don't know where I got mine, but look around. It cost me maybe $6. You can then mount any scope rings or built-in rings like the red-dots have.

If you don't mind a 1" tube, Millet makes a red-dot you can put separate (i.e. ".22") rings on, and probably someone makes a 30mm one too, if you could find 30mm ".22" rings.

The little slip-on base adaptor works well though.

[AJMD429]

VERY nice setup...!

Come on, Bambi, go ahead and LAUGH. Make my DAY, and venison you will become...!

[awp101]

results count --- go for it!

That's the key, results.

I keep a low power, eer scope on my .357 Marlin. If I have to use it, whatever is on the wrong end won't laugh for very long...