Burris AR-332 Prism Sight Review: A Hunter’s Perspective

As someone who has spent more time in the field than in front of a screen, I don’t often get impressed by gear that promises to do it all. But the Burris AR-332 Prism Sight? That one caught my attention—and after three months of testing it across different terrains and conditions, I can say this optic is more than just marketing hype.

I’ve mounted this sight on my AR-15, ran it through the rigors of the Texas backwoods, tested it during a midnight hog hunt, and dropped it (more than once). This hands-on review covers everything you need to know: from glass clarity to real-world durability, and how it stacks up against competitors like the Vortex Spitfire and Primary Arms SLx.

Why Hunters and Tactical Shooters Should Care About the AR-332

The AR-332 is designed to bridge the gap between a red dot and a full-blown rifle scope. With a fixed 3x magnification, etched ballistic reticle, and dual-color illumination, this optic gives you rapid target acquisition at close range and accurate holdovers at 200+ yards.

If you’ve ever hesitated between an LPVO and a red dot + magnifier combo, the Burris AR-332 sits right in the middle—and might just be what you’re missing.

Burris AR-332 Specs Breakdown

How I Tested the AR-332

This wasn’t a bench test. I ran this optic through:

• Desert dust & forest humidity
• Dawn-to-dusk transitions
• Shoulder-height drops onto gravel
• Water submersion for 15 minutes
• Both-eyes-open close-range drills

In other words, everything a hunter or tactical shooter might realistically encounter. I even used it with the Burris Fastfire 3 piggybacked on top and paired it with the AR-Tripler magnifier for added flexibility.

Optical Quality: Surprisingly Impressive

The Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses give you a bright, distortion-free sight picture. Even in overcast lighting, I was impressed with how the reticle remained crisp—especially when turned off. That’s thanks to the etched glass reticle, which doesn’t rely on batteries.

One caveat: the reticle lines are a bit thick. At longer distances, that can obscure small targets. But for most use-cases—home defense, hog hunting, 3-Gun—it’s more of a feature than a flaw.

Reticle Performance: Ballistic CQ Is Built Right

The Ballistic CQ reticle is calibrated for 5.56/.223 rounds and includes BDC marks for quick compensation out to 600 yards. I personally used it to hit targets from 50 to 300 yards with confidence.

Burris Prism Sight with Illuminated 3-Color Ballistic CQ Reticle, 1x20mm, Black, One Size

• Push-button activation lets you choose between green, red, or black reticle settings
• One battery yields up to 5,000+ hours of service; Black reticle is etched onto the prism, so you can use the optic even without battery power
• Easy-to-see reticle hash marks offer trajectory compensation to 600 yards

$251.18

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The illuminated horseshoe design makes fast target acquisition second nature. For low-light scenarios, the dual red/green modes are a huge plus.

Eye Relief & Field of View

With about 2.7″ of eye relief, it’s a bit tight—but nothing unmanageable. I just mounted it as far back as the rail allowed. Once you get used to it, transitions are smooth.

Field of view at 100 yards is 32 feet—wide enough for situational awareness and tracking fast movers.

Accuracy Testing Results

Using Federal Premium 55-grain FMJ .223 Remington, I tested groupings at multiple ranges:

That’s very respectable for a 3x prism optic—and far better than many red dots at distance.

Battery Life: Solid but Not the Best

I left the optic on mid-brightness over multiple sessions and logged ~750 hours of runtime. It’s rated for up to 800. If you run it on high constantly, expect less. Still, the etched reticle saves the day if your battery runs dry.

Durability: Tank Status Achieved

I accidentally dropped my rifle while running a drill. Burris took a direct hit—kept zero like nothing happened. It’s nitrogen-purged, O-ring sealed, and rugged enough to take on freezing temps, moisture, and recoil abuse.

Ease of Use: Beginner Friendly

I had the AR-332 zeroed in under 10 rounds. Adjustments are tactile and repeatable. No tool needed. The elevation and windage turrets are finger-adjustable and well-marked.

Zeroing, switching brightness levels, and toggling between red and green modes are all intuitive.

Recommended Accessories

If you’re buying the AR-332, do yourself a favor and consider these upgrades:

• Trijicon TA51 ACOG Mount – For a lower profile and ultra-sturdy mounting
• Burris AR-Tripler – Adds long-range flexibility (yes, even on a 3x optic)
• Burris FastFire 3 – Piggyback red dot for CQB or offset use
• Vortex Defender Flip Caps – Because lens protection matters

Burris AR-332 vs Competitors

I still prefer the AR-332 for its ACOG-like feel, value pricing, and rugged design. If weight is your biggest concern, maybe check out Bravo3.

Final Verdict: The “Smart Man’s ACOG”

Pros:

• Excellent durability
• Clear glass with etched reticle
• Fast target acquisition
• Good mid-range performance

Cons:

• Tight eye relief
• Slightly heavy

Score: 4.5 / 5

For anyone looking to upgrade their optic setup—whether for hunting, tactical drills, or defending your land—the Burris AR-332 is a no-brainer. It’s the dependable workhorse I never knew I needed.

Grab it from Amazon or OpticsPlanet before it’s gone. I might just buy a second for my backup rifle.

Shoot straight, stay safe—and may your optics always hold zero.

— Joel