Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock – Superb 357 Magnum Revolver

Description

The Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock is The Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock takes the configuration a great many revolver shooters consider ideal, a three inch seven shot L-frame in 357 Magnum, and removes the one feature that generates the most argument. There is no key-operated lock in the sideplate.

Everything else is what the 686 Plus has always been: a stainless steel frame engineered specifically for continuous full-power magnum shooting, a seven round cylinder in the same envelope as a six shot gun, adjustable sights, and a barrel length that carries well without giving up much on the range.

Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock No Internal Lock And L Frame Build

The missing lock is the reason many buyers specifically want the Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock. Smith Wesson added a key-operated internal lock to most revolver sideplates in the early 2000s, and while documented failures are genuinely rare, a large number of shooters simply prefer a defensive revolver with fewer moving parts that can do something unplanned. Removing it also leaves a cleaner sideplate.

Underneath, the L-frame is the reason this platform earned its reputation. Smith Wesson built it with a heavier barrel shank and a stronger frame precisely so it could take unlimited full-power 357 Magnum without the forcing cone concerns that troubled lighter frames. If you intend to actually shoot magnums rather than just carry them, this is the size to buy.

Seven rounds comes from the Plus cylinder, which fits an extra chamber into the standard frame. You gain a round without gaining bulk. Three inches of barrel with a full underlug keeps weight forward, steadies the muzzle, and still clears a holster quickly.

Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock Weight, Blast And Honest Trade Offs

Steel is what makes the Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock durable and steel is heavy. This is a substantial handgun for its barrel length, which is exactly what makes magnum recoil comfortable and exactly what makes a cheap belt inadequate. Budget for a proper gun belt and a well-built holster alongside the revolver.

Three inches is short for a magnum. Full-power loads produce significant muzzle flash and a sharp report, and indoors that is genuinely disorienting. Most owners practice with 38 Special, which this revolver fires without any modification, and carry magnum ammunition designed for short barrels.

Seven shot speedloaders are harder to find than six shot units. Pick up a few when you see them rather than assuming they will be in stock later.

The double action trigger is heavier than a target revolver, which is correct for a carry gun. It smooths out considerably over the first several hundred rounds and improves further with regular dry fire practice.

Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock Specifications

• Manufacturer part number: 164300
• UPC: 022188643008
• Caliber: 357 Magnum, also fires 38 Special
• Capacity: 7 rounds
• Barrel: 3 inches with full underlug
• Frame: stainless steel L-frame
• Internal lock: none
• Sights: adjustable rear, red ramp front
• Action: double action and single action
• Finish: satin stainless

Anyone shopping the Smith Wesson 686 Plus specifically without a lock has usually already decided on the platform. As a 357 Magnum L Frame Revolver it is built for continuous full-power shooting rather than occasional magnum use, and as a Seven Shot Stainless Revolver it carries an extra round in a standard frame. The only thing that changes here is a sideplate without a keyhole.

Why Buyers Choose the Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock

Buy the Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock if you want the most versatile 686 configuration without the internal lock. Three inches carries and shoots well, seven rounds beats the six shot norm, and the L-frame will absorb as much magnum practice as you care to give it. For buyers who have been waiting for a lock-free version of this exact gun, this is it.

Skip it if weight matters most, because an alloy small-frame revolver is less than half as heavy. Skip it if you want maximum magnum velocity, where four and six inch barrels do noticeably better. And skip it if you intend to carry in a pocket, since this revolver belongs on a belt.

Who Should Buy The Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock

The Smith Wesson 686 Plus 3 Inch No Lock suits This revolver suits belt carriers, home defense buyers, revolver shooters who practice with full-power ammunition, and specifically buyers who seek out Smith Wesson revolvers built without the internal lock. It is a poor fit for pocket carry, for weight-sensitive shooters, and for anyone who will not invest in a proper belt and holster. All firearm sales ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer, and handgun, capacity and carry rules vary by state, so confirm your local law before ordering.

Learn more from Smith and Wesson, or browse the rest of our firearms selection.

Every firearm we list ships to your chosen FFL and is transferred there after a background check.