Firefield's New Impact Reflex Optics

The new Firefield Impact optic offers a wide view for fast target acquisition.Firefield® is a relatively new rifle and pistol optics manufacturer out of Mansfield, Texas. Despite being relatively new to the game, the new Firefield Impact Optics show some promise and potential for this new company. Started in 2009, Firefield has been making rifle optics with the budget-minded shooter in mind. Considering the company began in one of this nation’s worst economic downturns, I’d say they understand the importance of getting the most product for the money.

The new Firefield® Impact and Impact Duo rifle optics are designed for rapid target acquisition using a both eyes open shooting method. Both Impact optic options come with a wide rectangular lens for quick targeting and clear vision. The Impact optics have a parallax-adjusted lens system to provide clear aiming points at all ranges. The Impact Duo combines a red laser aiming device to enhance targeting even further.

Firefield® Impact Optic

The Firefield Impact reflex optic is specifically designed for AR-15 and other MSR (Modern Sporting Rifles) and shotguns, using a combination of polymer and aluminum construction. The Impact offers shooters a wide-angle lens in a narrow pane rather than an elongated tube. This method provides a very quick target acquisition avoiding the tunnel-vision aspect of tubular optics.

One of best features of the Firefield Impact is the multiple reticle options. Many shooters prefer one reticle or another, especially for a red dot or reflex optic. The Impact provides options for many shooter preferences in one optic. There are (4) reticle options for the Firefield Impact. These include:

Simple red dot
Crosshair with red dot center
Circle crosshair with red dot center
Large circle with red dot center.

The Firefield Impact comes with (4) reticle options.

The Impact optic is powered by a single CR-2032 battery, that can be switched out easily from the Impact’s quick-access battery compartment. Though the Impact uses a fairly common CR-2032 battery, the life expectancy of the battery is somewhat limited from 20-200 hours depending on power setting.

The Firefield Impact is shockproof to allow repeated shots and rapid-fire follow-up shots without interfering with the optics ability to maintain zero. In addition, the Impact provides an IP55 water resistance rating.

There are some limitations with this very inexpensive optic. The red dot size is (5) MOA, which is the largest dot size on the market. Elevation and windage adjustments are (1) MOA, so the accuracy level is somewhat limited. The narrow objective lens is shockproof, but is not fog-proof or Nitrogen filled. Finally, the parallax setting is set for 25 yards. This setting is great for close-up work, but could cause some blurriness and difficulty focusing on targets at distance. Where the Firefield Impact optic shines is the MSRP under $50.00.

The Firefield Impact was specifically designed for MSR and shotguns at an affordable price.

Firefield® Impact Specifications

Material: Black, Aluminum and polymer
Magnification: 1x
Overall Length: 3.03 inches
Height: 2.08 inches
Width: 1.37 inches
Weight: 4.7 ounces
Objective Lens: 33×23 mm
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Reticle Color: Red
Brightness Settings: 0-6
Elevation/Windage Adjustments: (1) MOA per click
Elevation/Windage Range: 150 MOA
Red Dot Size: (1) MOA
Battery Type: (1) CR-2032
Battery Life: 20-200 hours
Mount Type: Picatinny/Weaver
MSRP: $49.97.

The Firefield Impact optic has easily manipulated controls for brightness and reticle options.

Firefield® Impact Duo

The Firefield Impact Duo builds upon the options and features of the standard Impact optic, by adding a 5mW red laser aiming device on the side of the optic frame. Laser targeting systems have been widely used in the Global War on Terror and to great effect. Some shooters appreciate the benefits of lasers, while others prefer to avoid a device that can give away the shooters position.

The Firefield Impact Duo has an MSRP of $95.99.

The Firefield Impact Duo adds a red laser targeting system.

Final Thoughts

We’ve been quietly watching the development of Firefield for a few years now. They have made their presence onto the big stage at SHOT Show, and we are starting to see their products added to distributors and retailers across the country.

Anytime we consider a product that may be used in an on-duty law enforcement function we are very serious at considering the pros and cons of such a product. Price alone can be deceptive. We have found many products that are very affordably priced, that not only provide high quality but high functionality as well. On the other hand, we have seen very expensive items that don’t really provide much more than much more affordable options.

Firefield is still new, and we have not had a chance to test out their products in real law enforcement live-fire training. As such, we cannot fully endorse these optics for on-duty use. This should not be interpreted as a blanket recommendation against Firefield optics however. As we’ve mentioned, there are several nice features of the Impact optics, and some limitations and drawbacks as well.

Interestingly, the Firefield optics take on a very similar appearance as the Sightmark Sureshot, another fairly inexpensive reflex/red dot optic option on the market. It appears both Firefield and Sightmark are under the umbrella of Sellmark Corporation.

Regardless, the Firefield optics may be a viable option for duty use. I have two Sightmark Ultrashot optics on rifles for my sons. Those rifles are in a starter set-up right now, but so far the accuracy and durability of the Sightmark optics has been just fine – around (2-3) MOA at 100 yards. Not a precision scope, but then again reflex optics are designed for much faster target acquisition and shooting than a magnified scope.

Some readers may scoff at the idea of putting a low-priced optic on a duty rifle. However, we understand the realities of many law enforcement officers that live paycheck to paycheck with little left over. An Aimpoint Pro or EOTech might be considered best options, but in reality is completely out of the budget of many officers. Optics from manufacturers like Firefield may just provide the reflex optic options for these officers, at a price these officers can actually afford. In that regard we say it’s better to have a reflex optic than to depend on iron sights.

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Aaron

Aaron is a sergeant with a midwestern police department, where he serves as a trainer, supervisor and SWAT sniper. In addition to his broad tactical knowledge, Aaron has experience in DUI, DRE and undercover narcotics investigations.