I can endorse this model. Go Performance Center if at all possible. The grips look great and work well with 44 Specials but are brutal with heavy loads. For carry (and blasting) it wears S&W 500 Hogues.

And I totally agree with the previous poster RE: having a bear and bear tracks etched into my 44 Mag. Not my bag, and it isn't Performance Center. IMOHO, S&W is guilty of doing a few too many "special runs". I counted at least 6 629 snub variants: 629 Mountain Gun, 629PC, 629 Alaska Backpacker blue w/ stainless cylinder, 629 Backpacker w/ bear etchings, 629-6 unfluted 3", 629 Lew Horton, 629 Talo... and plenty more with longer barrels.