Kylean,
Sure I'd trust it with my life, but trust it or not you can always get into a situation your trusty roscoe can't cope with. It don't matter if it's a .44 magnum, Glock 10mm, .38 snub, P3AT, whatever.
The better .38 special loads are decent loads. Sure there are better, and even better guns to shoot fast with. But if you are skilled, keep your wits about you, most importantly keep aware enought to see it coming, you will be fine..... most of the time.
Even with my Glock 26 and Winchester +P+ 127s, and all the classes, IDPA, etc.. I've had using that Glock 26 (yes used 26's in most of my training and competition, at least at local level) I can still run into a stiuation that 26 just can't cope with.
That's the way life is. But I will say your 686, with +P .38s, will do for most SD situations, IF YOU ARE GOOD!
If you are not good, better get a belt fed machinegun son!
Deaf