If you are entirely confident that a 4" 686+ will not be too big nor too heavy for your uses (I feel they are too much for my concealed carry needs!) then by all means buy a 4" 686+ without the built-in lock. They are simply superb weapons!!! Here's one with 3" barrel:
Much more readily available than the 3" is the version with a 2.5" barrel... an excellent choice as well, and you don't give up much at all in power with a 2.5" .357.
BUT, if you feel as I do that they are just a bit too much in the size and weight department, consider a Ruger GP-100 with fixed sights and 3" barrel. These are a tad smaller than the 686, sort of between the K-frame and the L-frame. And though you only have six rounds instead of seven, they are fairly readily available, have no internal lock, are highly reliable, durable, and not difficult to pack... though they're still not exactly light nor small! Here's my 3" stainless GP-100:
Down from there? Find a pre-lock model 13 or 65 with 3" barrel. just a little smaller and a touch lighter than the 3" GP-100. Not quite as durable for extended magnum shooting, but still an excellent choice! Just not so easy to find anymore!
Down from there? Hands down winner... the 640-1!
ALL THAT SAID.... I would feel entirely comfortable carrying a Browning Hi-Power in forty caliber with ten in the mag and one in the tube. 11 rounds of potent defense power in one of the most comfortable, excellent handling, and reliable semi-auto pistols the world has ever known. I have two, a polished blue Standard forty and a silver chrome forty. They feed on and digest ammo with amazing reliability. Along with the 1911, they're one of the two finest semi-autos available. Generally speaking, I've found the Hi-Power to be even more reliable than the typical 1911. They do need a professional trigger job, however, to get a really nice trigger feel.
Thatul mess somebody up...or makum run away before you gotta messumup 
