I fired a qualification course at my first agency with a 4" Smith Model 29 for a couple of reasons...mainly "just cuz" I wanted to see how I would do. I fired a 296/300 but almost timed out. I was using 240gr JHP Federal 44 Magnum ammo. Accuracy was great, but the time between shots (splits) were about 25% greater than with my normal Smith Model 19 fired with 125gr JHP Federal 357 Magnum ammo (300/300), and 40% greater than when I shot the same qualifier with my Smith Model 19 loaded with 110gr Federal +P+ 38 Special, which was also a 300/300 score.
The Smith Model 29 is a great revolver...but not a great 44 Magnum revolver. Even with the alleged improvements, it is not a revolver to handle a steady diet of magnum ammo. They tend to shoot loose, out of time, and the cylinder will begin to develop an end shake. SO...the 29 really is a "44 Special that can shoot magnums sometimes". Honestly, a warm 44 Special in the 180 to 200 gr LSWCHP configuration at about 1000fps makes the Model 29 shine. You have to look, but you can find loads like those from Buffalo Bore and CorBon.
If you're a reloader, then the problem is solved though some will freak ALL the way out at the mere mention of using reloaded ammo for self defense...
within a VERY narrow set of circumstances...it is explainable. Of course, if the S has HTF, then you don't need to be able to explain or justify your choice of ammo to anyone.
I have shot IDPA and USPSA with a Model 629 Mountain Gun using a pet load of 5.9gr of TiteGroup under a 180gr Cast LRNFP that hits 850fps over a chronograph and hits 1" high at 15 yards and dead on at 20 yards. It feels like a 38
A) You have developed a load that is very accurate, and primarily used for hunting or "critter defense" and that happened to be what you were primarily doing, then "
I was using reloaded ammunition because I was hunting (insert innocent animal you want to slaughter here 
) and when I was attacked by (insert attacker here), I was forced to use what I had available".
B) You primarily use the load for harvesting potentially dangerous nuisance animals such as coyote or feral hogs. "I developed this particular load because I have a feral hog problem on my land, and it is accurate and takes them humanely and it happened to be the ammunition I had with me when I was attacked by (insert unarmed minority here)".
Of course, I do NOT recommend the use of reloaded ammo for urban, home defense when all other factors are "normal".
Nuts and bolts...a 44 Magnum revolver is NOT an amateur's revolver. Unless you are really good with a 38, or a 357...and I mean
really good...you need to get really good before you strap on a 44 and think you will be as capable as the gun is. If you
start your revolver journey with a 44 using full power magnum ammo, then you're going to develop flinches and horrible habits that will make you second guess the entire nature of the universe.
I am a Smith & Wesson man. I own a few Colts, mostly variations on the Python and a couple of Detectives Specials and a WWII vintage Police Positive, and I think I even have a 6" Trooper around here somewhere...so when I say this, you can believe it is a shock to me too:
The BEST choice in an all around 44 Magnum revolver is the Ruger Redhawk 4". It is bull strong and will handle a steady diet of full power magnum ammo that will shake a Smith Model 29/629 apart, and will make an Anaconda cry like a little girl. As a bonus, the Redhawk has a very simple action that is relatively easy to smooth out and make very nice.
The front sight blades are easily interchangeable to whatever configuration floats your boat, and the heft of the gun itself really dampens the felt recoil of the 44 Mag.
I can't recommend against a 44 Magnum in principle...just be aware of your own limitations as a shooter and recognize that it takes a lot of work to master it.
