Midwest Industries has expanded its Bounty Hunter line with new mounting plates that allow optics to be installed on revolvers that lack factory rails. In a recent range test on a Smith & Wesson 629 Classic chambered in .44 Magnum, reviewers evaluated two Gideon Optics red dots—an Acro-footprint Mediator 2 and an RMR-footprint Omega—mounted via the new plates.
Pros
- Secure three-bolt retention that exceeds the factory sight’s single-bolt design
- Both optics survived repeated full-power .44 Magnum recoil without loosening
- Omega offers a larger sight picture, shake-awake, and a less blocky profile that preserves the revolver’s classic lines
- Mediator 2 provides multiple reticle options for versatility
Cons
- Acro-style closed-emitter optic sits tall on the already sizable 629 frame, altering aesthetics and handling
- Wood factory grips proved slippery under hot, humid conditions
- Initial zeroing required paper targets after steel-plate impacts were difficult to confirm
Specs
- Smith & Wesson 629 Classic, .44 Magnum
- Midwest Industries Bounty Hunter optics plates (Acro and RMR footprints)
- Gideon Mediator 2 (Acro) and Gideon Omega (RMR)
- Plates modeled to each revolver frame geometry for a tight lock-up
“Both of them withstood the recoil of full-powered .44 magnum,” one tester noted, adding that the Omega was ultimately chosen for its larger window, modern features, and better aesthetics on the revolver. The Acro plate is still recommended for revolvers fitted with Midwest’s Bounty Hunter brace systems, where extra height is beneficial.
