Frank Trabel
member
From much first hand experience I would instantly recommend the Ruger over the Taurus, however, whichever fits you better that you can shoot better should be the winner - do you have a local range where you can rent both guns? From years and years of documented experience of other people, I would recommend you buy JHP ammo over ball, even the generic Remington Value Pack of 100 115gr JHP is better than any ball load.
No range near me rents guns unfortunately. I prefer hollow points but some guns won't run them, not a big priority when your biggest threat are cougars. Is the Taurus slide hard to manipulate and is there a full size version of it?