Disagree that the 29-2 will hold up as well as the 29-5, even with standard .44 Mag loads.
The durability was increased with the endurance package, and that was not done entirely for 300-grainers or for silhouette shooters.
The 29-2 most certainly will not hold up as well or as long with any loads as my two Redhawks and the Blackhawk. My other .44 Mag is a 629-3, which I'd also expect to hold together longer than a 29-2.
S&W made the endurance package changes for good reason. The 29-2 had its deficiencies.
The EP addressed as many of those as reasonably possible, given the envelope restrictions entailed in the N-Frame.
I don't make these statements to "float" my boat, nor am I trying to be sarcastic or snide.
Yep, I'm still missing the "concept".
What IS the concept?
Half an inch difference in barrel lengths is the "concept"?
That .5 inch may make a major difference in balance for you, but it's not even noticeable to me. Nor would it have any real significance if it was, since I'm more interested in longterm mechanical reliability (my .44s are not range toys) than a slight balance variation between the two.
I find your assertion that the 29-2 will hold up as well as later versions wrong, and if your only reason for promoting its superiority over the 29-5 is that it balances better, I find that invalid, too.
I won't argue beyond what I've said. I answered the original question, I'd go for the 29-5 in a heartbeat over the -2 version.
If you want the last word, go ahead.
Anybody else is perfectly free to make up their own mind as to which is "better".
Denis