I've been shooting model 29 S&W 4" since 1973. This is my 3rd .44 Mag. & have had it since 1979.
The "instructor/qualification" officer, then Cpl. Len Grinnel allowed me to use my m29 to shoot our yearly qualification round. That's the first and last time I was able to ace the course 300/300 but would not give me the Crown over crossed revolvers as I had earlier failed to do that with the issue .38. At that time, I was shooting a 275gr. SWC from an Ohaus 4-cavity mould with 21gr. Herc. 2400. These were full power 1,240fps loads & I thought nothing of the recoil then, nor do I today. I still have and use that mould today, however my load has changed, to 17.0gr. AL7 for 1,210fps. Good shooting load in the 4" bl.
I would like a 4 5/8" .45 Colt Ruger, but that will likely never happen with the current state of affairs.
I do have the Ruger Blackhawk with 4 5/8" bl. that I bought in 1974. I sold it to my old Beaufighter Pilot cousin, then reacquired it when he passed in 2003/4.
It's a really good shooting handgun - accurate and easy to shoot accurately. I use a 150gr. SWC from a DC Lee mould mostly in it as well as the SWC 168gr. Keith bullet, but with GC.