Thank you, Dave & Ben, for your helpful insights. I was looking at the Anaconda as a target of opportunity. I own an old 8 3/4" S&W M-29, a Ruger Super Blackhawk and a Ruger Redhawk. I must concur with Ben in that I would hesitate to shoot RH-class loads in the Smith, despite its looks and feel and lore.
A.M.

Axeman,
When you say that you would hesitate to shoot RH class loads in the smith do you mean "red hot" or higher pressure loads?
Too many people try to hot rod the performance of a cartridge by increasing pressure. Typically this will result in loosening up or damage to the firearm. The older S&W's are trim, elegant revolvers designed for factory .44 mag loads. If you want more performance, then it is time to choose a new cartidge. Look at the .480 Ruger, .475 & .500 Linebaugh. These are available in easy to carry single or double actions. I am getting rid of my 3 .44's since I had Bowen convert a Ruger Redhawk to .500 Linebaugh. It is a quantum leap in performance and I only load mine to 435 grain bullets at 1100 to 1200 fps. In a handgun, bullet size rules, not an additional 100 feet per second. Skip the boat anchor .500 S&W if you want something portable.