Seems we been through this before two or three times! Okay. One time or another I have had 29-2s in 4", 5" and 8 3/8"s and shot them all. Presently I have a perfect looking 5" that WONT letter. I belive I can or could shoot the 5" every bit as accurately as I did the 8 3/8". I vote for the 8 3/8" to get neutered. They are unhandy to pack and no more accurate.
If I was starting over and had no guns, I would be looking into a mountain gun. I have many smiths of the type, 4 various .44 special smiths. Also a model 27-2 in 5" and a made up HD converted over to .44 spec in 5". Now get this. I have a wagon train 544 44-40 5" that you cannot tell from my 29-2 5"! You might try finding a 544. I belive the bore is the same as .44 spec or mag. Most like mine, have never been fired and probley run $650 to $750s. Why not buy one and have a 29 clyinder installed, or IF you could find a 544 barrel, that would be a nice way to go. Here is my 29-2 and my 544. Also the HD made over to 5" 44 special. I was lucky and found a model 21 5" barrel and sat on it 10 years untill I found a nice cheap HD to sacrafice.