Burris FastFire C Review — Micro-Sized Red Dot with Big Potential

Posted by River Knox June 7, 2024

Burris recently released a new pistol reflex red dot optic called the Burris FastFire C. The FastFire C was created for shooters who prefer a small, lightweight and durable optic for their carry pistols. Weighing in at under a half ounce, the FastFire C is ideal for firearm carriers to keep the overall pistol weight minimal while still having a capable optic on their gun.

Burris optics are known for having clear glass with a crisp and clear red dot, and the FastFire C is no different. It has a 6 MOA red dot, and the user has the option to choose auto brightness or use manual red dot intensity settings.


In this digital photograph, we see the Burris Optics FastFire C aiming dot tested on the shooting range. It uses the Burris Intelligent system that is powered by a CR2032 battery.

So now that we have the basic details out of the way, let’s mount this thing on a handgun.

What Pistol for this Red Dot?

I decided to mount the Burris FastFire C on my Springfield Armory XD-S Mod.2 OSP 9mm. The Burris FastFire C uses an RMSc mounting footprint, so I was able to mount it on the XD-S Mod.2 directly without the need of a specific mounting plate.


In this image, we see the Burris FastFire mounted to an EDC pistol using the popular Shield RMSc footprint. This allows for a direct mount to the pistol slide.

A direct mount keeps the optic profile low on the slide. This allowed the XD-S pistol’s iron sights to co-witness with the FastFire C’s red dot. Additionally, I wanted an optic that instilled confidence with a reputable manufacturer like Burris.

How Is the Burris FastFire C Different?

To keep the weight as low as possible, the FastFire C stepped away from the other Burris FastFire pistol optics by employing a durable composite polymer housing. It does have a glass lens. 


As shown here, the Burris FastFire reticle incorporates the latest innovation in red dot optics design for fast target acquisition. It is mounted to the Springfield xd-s.

The front of the optic has serration cuts for shooters who prefer to use the optic to charge the pistol. The red dot is 6 MOA and uses what Burris calls their “intelligent auto-bright system.” This will allow the optic to adjust depending on the environmental conditions. The auto-brightness feature will automatically intensify the dot in sunny conditions and decrease the red dot brightness in low-light conditions. 

The user also has the option to manually adjust the red dot brightness by pressing a large button on the left side of the optic housing. The button will also turn off the red dot by pressing it for three seconds. 

Powering Up

The FastFire C uses a CR2032 battery. The battery is seated in the bottom of the optic. Burris claims the battery has a 25,000 hour life when the optic is set for auto-bright. Of course, manually turning off the optic when not in use will extend the life substantially. 

In this photograph, the writer Dan Abraham tests the Burris FastFire C on the shooting range. The author found it easy to hit the steel targets. The FastFire C allows for rapid transitions between targets.

The optic is low profile as the housing sits fairly low, which allows for absolute or ⅓ co-witness with standard open iron sights. The rear of the housing is equipped with its own iron sights that are removable if preferred. In my case, the XD-S Mod.2 has a serrated black rear sight that is tall enough to co-witness with the red dot. Therefore, I felt no need to remove the iron sight installed on the optic.

They Made Their “Case”

Burris includes everything the user needs to successfully mount the optic to their pistol. The case includes two Allen wrenches; one for mounting and the other for adjusting the optic. 

The author examines whats included with Burris FastFire C package. The box includes a battery, cleaning cloth and protective cover. It is designed specifically for sub-compact and micro-compact CCW pistols.

There are four sets of screws, a shim if needed, and a weather seal to keep moisture away from the battery. The case includes a user’s manual and a warranty card. Lastly, Burris includes a lens cloth and a protective rubber optic cover.

Range Time with the FastFire Red Dot Sight

I took the Springfield XD-S Mod.2 with the Burris FastFire C to the range several times before writing this review. After sighting in the red dot, the XD-S and FastFire C did exactly what I wanted. Both the pistol and optic performed well and, if I did my part, the shooting was very accurate. 

In this photo, we see the Burris FastFire C was tested on shooting range to ensure it would hold up to regular shooting. The optic is adjustable for windage and elevation and the brightness setting, uses a mounting standard that allows for it to work with a range of guns and is shockproof. You can adjust it for sight alignment.

The Burris FastFire C enhanced the range time with XD-S Mod.2. The clear red dot, easy adjustments and consistent holding of zero was essential to my accurate shooting. The more I shot the more my confidence grew, which was exactly what I was looking for in a quality-made handgun/optic combination. 

Final Thoughts

The MSRP for the Burris Fastfire C is $276, which I believe is a fair price considering everything that is included in the case. And this is in addition to the dependability Burris optics offers.

Burris FastFire C is designed for concealed carry pistols. It is relatively light and rugged while providing an excellent aiming dot at an affordable price. The protective lens hood incorporates serrations on the front edge to deliver no-slip performance. It is also water-resistant to be ready for anything.

So far, I am happy with my decision to go with the Burris FastFire C. I expect this optic will live a long and happy life with my Springfield Armory XD-S Mod.2 OSP.

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