I got into the handgun experience about 18 months ago. The 686 plus with 6" barrel was my first handgun and the Ruger MK512 the second. I am now a confirmed revolver enthusiast.
Let me say up front that the 686 plus is pure silk after 7000 or so rounds of .38 spl +P and .357 magnum rounds. I just got a Performance Center 627 8 shot competition revolver (oh God it is beautiful), but am so far better with the 686 plus. Admitedly I need to become as well acquainted with the new 627 as I am with the 18 months old 686 plus, but right now the weight and balance are more comfortable for me. The Hogue rubber grip helps considerably as well and I will equip my 627 with the same.
However, consider why you want 7 shots. I went for it as my wife gave me an excuse to get into handgun shooting for "self defense" and I thought I would get an all purpose round (the .38 spl/.357 magnum combo) and that the 7th round would be a cute surprise to the Bad Guys.
As it stands, I am the only one who uses the revolver regularly and do so in IPSC and PPC style competition. In both events the action actually favors either 6 or 8 shot handguns and the 7th shot is good mainly in the 6 shot neutral events to have the extra follow up.
For competition you will need speedloaders. The HKS speedloader is $8 and the competition grade Safariland lookalike is $30 (compared to the real thing for about $6 for 6 shot S&W). The HKS is a cranky item.
However, an alternative is to have the 686 plus set up to use moonclips as on the 627, 625 and others. This costs $85 for the conversion and less than $30 for a total of 13 moonclips. These devices are a nuisance to load and unload, requiring simple tools to eliminate frustration, but make quick reloading on the 686 plus a dream. My 686 plus will soon undergo this conversion.