RE: good pistol
I don't know much about Cougars, but I carried around this big ole blackpowder pistol during Muzzlelaoder season as a finishing shot gun. It is a Traditions Buckhunter, I think. That thing about drove me nuts. It didn't feel like much wieght in a uncle mikes shoulder holster, but by the middle of the day, I felt like I been carrying a tree stand all day. I would go for that 357Mag Mountain pistol SW has. A little more handy than my 44mag I someitmes carry.