Just got our licenses to carry in NY State (believe it or not).
Do you mind me asking you more about this L Frame?
Wife just bought a S&W 686 .357 YESTERDAY.
BTW I'm brand new to all things gun related so go easy on me. :)
The L frame is a beefed up K (medium) frame gun that can take a steady diet of .357 rounds, where the older K's like the Model 19 it was better to practice with .38 Specials and use .357's sparingly. The 686 was the first L frame in 1980, and are extremely well thought of. It has gone through a number of model revs numbered 686-1 to 5. I had a 4" 686 and it was a fine weapon, as .357 revolvers go, it is by many considered the best compormise between durability, carryability, and performance going.
My S&W 586 .357 mag has been really good. I've had it about 15 years.
I've got the exact same model, with 4" barrel. Love it. See my FReeper homepage. What questions do you have?