The "wants" are:
-metal-framed
-price < $1K
I've had a few over the years and they all work(ed) fine, when shooting and carrying. Here are the ones I personally own/owned:
-Ruger SP101 3". One of those guns I sold but should have kept. It did have some sharp edges, particularly the edges of the trigger. This was when these first came out ~1988 and I don't know if they've been refined more or not. There was no rear sight, but with practice it was still accurate enough for my purposes. I also like the push-button type cylinder release. Back then, this one was in .38 Special and the .357 Mag version was not yet developed/available.
-S&W Model 10-9 2". I don't think this was pinned & recessed, but was in 99+% shape as I never carried it, hence why I sold it. Back then, .357 seemed to be important to me and I'd bought a K-frame by then which was a .357. I should have kept it on retrospect as I'd carry it now.
-S&W Model 66-2 2.5". Another K-frame. This is a great handling and shooting gun and I now only shoot .38 Special through it. I realize if I crack that forcing cone (which others have done) I likely won't find another barrel for some gunsmith to install. This gun has already been back to S&W twice (I'm probably at least the 3rd owner) for excess end-play and then a broken firing pin.
-S&W 586 L-Comp 3". This is also nice to carry and shoot. It should be very similar to the OP's existing 686 Plus, having 7-rounds, but in a black-colored/blued steel and with a power-port-comped barrel. I did replace the front sight with a brass-bead type as the front night sights on these models have the tritium vial too recessed to be useful as a night sight.
-S&W 640-1 Pro. This is my most carried snub-nose with its night-sights (which work, unlike the 586 L-Comp, above) and handles and shoots very well for me with my preferred larger Pachmayr "Compac" grips. What concerns me most, which I know is a personal thing, is its 5-round capacity. I'm often carrying an S&W 642-1 as a backup gun if carrying the 640 Pro as the primary. (I'm mainly a Glock-guy and carried a Glock on-duty and mostly now even after retirement. I'm typically walking around with over 30 rounds with just one extra reload, which is comforting to me.)
-S&W 642-1. This is mainly used as a backup gun to something else. Again, I usually use a large Pachmayr-brand "Compac" grip as I can just shoot and hit better when using that grip vs. the smaller grips as supplied. The smaller grips to conceal better when pocket or ankle carrying, however.
Revolvers I'd like to try someday (maybe buy) but would be over $1K:
-that new black-colored Colt Cobra with the bobbed hammer.
-that newer black-colored Kimber K6S.
