I have a 629-4 Mountain Gun, and I think they are the perfect 44 Magnum to carry. They are actually fun to shoot with mild Mag or warm special loads. To me, they are NOT fun to shoot more than a box of full power Magnums through. The MG recoil is more violent than painful, but I cannot even imagine how hard the 329s torque your wrists when you shoot them. I think the MG would be far better in a defensive situation. I can't say how much weight someone else would be willing to carry, but the Mountain Guns and the Model 19 are awfully close in weight.

Andy