Burris AR-332 or a Vortex Spitfire 3X

Ebola

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Which optic is better? The Burris AR-332 or a Vortex Spitfire 3X. I am undecided between the two. I would like to hear some first hand accounts. Possible use would be my AR or Tavor if I pick another one up.
 
I have two on 20" ARs and one on a Tavor.

Big optic 32mm, lots of light, fair clarity.
Two to two and a half inches of eye relief!
Adjustable focus.
Regular black etched reticle with switch to either red or green with multiple levels of illumination.
Calibrated reticle is actually fairly accurate out to its' stated ranges. (600m)
Comes already set up with a base set for picatinny mounting, you can also remov it for a ready mount in handle AR base.

I am aging and the eyes may not be what they used to be.
I have long since abandoned the Elcans for inability to focus and lack of any eye relief.

The AR332 is actually a very good bargain for the money.
I don't think you can go wrong for the money.
 
Had both. Sold the Spitfire. Both surprisingly good optics for the money, but the AR332 has less bulk around your field of view... less like looking down a thick-walled pipe, which was the impression I had when using the Spitfire. There's another recent thread around asking the same question, too.
 
Had both. Sold the Spitfire. Both surprisingly good optics for the money, but the AR332 has less bulk around your field of view... less like looking down a thick-walled pipe, which was the impression I had when using the Spitfire. There's another recent thread around asking the same question, too.

I remember that thread vaguely nowthat you mentioned it. I recall I sugested to the OP the Spitfire might be better because of the warranty.

Funny now im in the same boat. Im gonna have to locate that thread later tonight.
 
I have the ar 332, never tried the vortex but some of the things I noticed about the burris are:

Some claim the reticle is canted, mine is a tiny bit. Some blame the mount for this too but there is no adjustment.

I find the glass is fairly dark, much more so than on my hunting scopes.

Reticle is quite busy with the ranging marks but that is part of why we buy them.

Overall I am happy with it, seems to be a solid little optic.
 
My 332 was good--but I didn't like the reticle. I thought Burris could have done better with something like a CMR-2 ish type reticle by Leupold.
One of the very few affordable, brand name prismatic scopes. I like their compactness.
 
I went to Wolverine intending to purchase the Burris 332 and came home with the Spitfire3x.

Take the time to actually look at both of them, as with any optics discussion; your eyes are the only ones that matter.
 
I went to Wolverine intending to purchase the Burris 332 and came home with the Spitfire3x.

Take the time to actually look at both of them, as with any optics discussion; your eyes are the only ones that matter.

Agreed!
I had the Burris and found difficulty with parallax and my old eyes. I settled on the SPARC 2 with a flip up 3x magnifier. My son has the same Burris and loves it. Very personal choice. Put your hands and eyes on whatever you choose before you commit.
 
I went to Wolverine intending to purchase the Burris 332 and came home with the Spitfire3x.

Take the time to actually look at both of them, as with any optics discussion; your eyes are the only ones that matter.

I would happily compare them to each other if i could. However my local LSG's only have the Spitfire in stock. And I have only had very limited hands on time with a 332 a while back. Might have to flip a coin before i pull a trigger on one either way.
 
I would happily compare them to each other if i could. However my local LSG's only have the Spitfire in stock. And I have only had very limited hands on time with a 332 a while back. Might have to flip a coin before i pull a trigger on one either way.

Both good choices. You missed out on my Spitfire on the EE!
 
..Big optic 32mm, lots of light, fair clarity. Two to two and a half inches of eye relief!...I have long since abandoned the Elcans for inability to focus and lack of any eye relief.

Am I reading this correctly? Only 2 to 2.5 inches of eye relief...and an Elcan has even less than that?
 
What do you mean only?

When I use an Elcan for service, my helmet is pushing into the scope body housing and I have a need to get even closer.
Using an Elcan for myself, my eye is pretty well touching the glass... Seriously.

Wasn't a problem before I hit forty.
The last ten years I have been better off using that cheap plastic iron sight that no unit weapon lock up can ever seem to locate.
 
What do you mean only?

I'm not a black gun guy, and have very little experience with scopes other than typical hunting types. I'm accustomed to at least 3.5 inches of eye relief, and most decent scopes have closer to 4.

I suppose on a .223/5.56 it doesn't matter, but on a hunting rifle with any recoil I wouldn't want to be shooting with my eye "only" 2.5 inches away from the eyepiece. :) I guess I need to re-evaluate my interest in the Burris 332...it's suddenly become way less appealing.
 
I have the 332 on a 7.62x39. Not enough recoil that I ever even thought about the eye relief. I really like the optic for the price. Also like the fact that if the batteries die (which they did months ago) it is still good to go.
 
I am not a Vortex fan boy...but I went with the Vortex 3X with the intent of replacing it once I found a better option...and I just sorta stayed there. I'm an old fart with money to spend on this sport when I need to and won't blink at the prices charged by Swarovski and Trijicon and the other high enders...but on my little stubby PDW the Vortex is just the ticket.

Mind you - I still haven't been out in -20 ~30C yet so I don't know how that lighted reticle will work in colder temps. As always, the old adage, 'try before you buy' holds.
 
Jjohnwm no worry.
The Elan is a superb optic.
Incredible glass and superb field of view. Being set up for a .223 with little recoil it is a very short eye relief.
Maybe an inch to an inch and a half for most folks with good and young eyes.
The ACOG is much the same.

For the recoil of a .223 or even a 7.52x39 is negligible enough that it is not a worry for the shorter eye relief.

Some of those hunting scope eye reliefs can make black rifle fans jealous.
It would feel like sitting on a living room sofa to the distant tv set.

That extra inch or so on the AR332 means the world of difference to a guy like me.
After the push my head through the Elcan experience, it is wonderful to relax back a touch.
 
Have the Spitfire 3X on my AR (and older eyes), our range only goes to to 200M so works well enough for me for what it is.
 
Have been looking at getting either one of these as well as the Primary Arms ones we don't get in Canada. Not sure about Burris but Vortex has a lifetime warranty which is a big plus...
 
I looked at both the other day. I'm leaning towards the Vortex Spitfire for the warranty. My other option is to go with the Trijicon Acog in red. Haven't decided if I want to spend the extra $$.
 
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