Smith & Wesson's 686 Plus Deluxe is a seven-shot .357 Magnum on the L-Frame, finished in satin stainless steel and fitted with checkered hardwood laminate grips. The 3-inch barrel brings overall length to 10.25 inches and weight to 38.3 ounces. Sights are a red ramp up front and a white-outline adjustable rear, and the forged hammer and trigger work in both double and single action. There is no manual safety and no optic cut, as you would expect on this revolver.

The 3-inch length is the middle ground: short enough to ride in a holster and long enough to give a usable sight radius at the range. If you hold a New Mexico concealed handgun license, the state's seven-day wait is waived at pickup, and this barrel length is the one people choose when the revolver will be carried. At home, seven rounds of .357 Magnum from a 38-ounce stainless gun is a lot of capability with very little upkeep.

Key features

• .357 Magnum, seven-round cylinder
• 3-inch barrel, 10.25 inches overall, 38.3 ounces
• Satin stainless steel L-Frame
• Red ramp front, white-outline adjustable rear sight
• Checkered hardwood laminate grips

It ships to the New Mexico FFL dealer you choose, where you fill out Form 4473 and show photo ID; handgun buyers must be 21.