RE: Which option would you go with and why
I'm a big Browning fan but for what you described I would get the Ruger. Close in work without a scope....sounds like the Ruger is taylor made for that.
The Browning would be nice if you descided to go with a 1.5X scope. I don't know but would guess that installing iron sights on the Browning would be more trouble than it's worth.