I can't speak to a 3" 686+, but I do carry a 2 1/2" 686+, primarily in the winter.

Fully loaded it is 40 oz - on par with a steel framed full size 1911, but heavier than the 31 oz LW Commander I often carry in the summer (my usual summer pistol is a 30.5 oz S&W 6906).

If you choose a decent IWB holster, you'll find the 3" 686+ will be very concealable - more so than a full size or Commander sized 1911, and will be more comfortable to carry as the hammer on the 686+ doesn't rub on you like the hammer on a 1911 can.

I use a Wild Bill's Concealment Covert Carry IWB holster, for both my 2 1/2" Model 66 (36 oz) and my 2 1/2" 686+. The website lists it as made to order with an 8-10 week delivery time, but I've never had WBC take more than 3 weeks for an MTO item and the little brown truck usually brings in about 2 weeks. Summer is also their slow time, so MTO items should be quick.

This particular model uses an offset belt clip that keeps the overall profile thin, and the resulting wider surface makes it very comfortable. It's also a tuckable design if you need to tuck in shirt. As you can see the holster below is sized for my 3" Model 13, but works fine with the 2 1/2" revolvers.





I've also carried a 3" Model 13, and I can state that the extra 1/2" of barrel makes no difference at all in comfort or concealment. 3" does allow a little more velocity from a .357 Magnum, particularly if you are using a load optimized for a longer barrel.

L and K frame sized revolvers like the 686+, Speed Six and Model 66 below all conceal better than you'd think, particularly with a compact grip, as the maximum width only exists in the cylinder, with the barrel and grip frame being substantially thinner than a 1911 over all.

I'm a big fan of Pachmayr's Compact grip on this class of revolver as it conceals well, yet is still comfortable and controllable to shoot with .357 Magnum self defense loads.