Thank you for the input everyone. I actaully did handle a cougar today at the gunstore and really did like the way it felt in my hands. Pointed well, good balance, and a very attractive gun. I was able to compare it side by side with a G30, and for me at least, both don't seem like a good choice for what I am looking for. I do think it might be "too thick" for my "summer wear" CCW purposes.
Got to hold a G36 and Colt Defender as well and felt these two might be what I'm really looking for as far as size. Only problem is that both seem to have mixed reviews on reliability. G36's seem to be thought of as the "least realiable" of the Glocks and especially the mini-glocks. Compact 1911's seem to be thought of as the least reliable of the 1911's. Of course there are countless success stories of both but I think the majority of reviews seem to support my concern.
I guess my search will go on......