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The 686 is a .357, not a .44.

I had a 686 6-shot. It shot quite well for me and recoil was quite manageable with all loads; I never carried it because I had the 6" tube, but I'd have no qualms at all about carrying a shorter version.

If you can, look for a "pre-lock" revolver. There aren't many 686+'s out there without the internal lock, but they -do- exist. While it's not common with the steel-framed guns, it's theoretically possible for the lock to engage during recoil, locking the gun up like a vault until you can find the key. However uncommon that may be (and I don't think it's common at all), I won't carry a gun with an internal lock, as it's one more thing to fail at the worst possible time.