Anyone who will flame you for wanting an AK variant is an idiot. Even the cheapest WASR converted to 30 round mag AK is going to be pretty much rock solid reliable and be able to hit MOM, Minute of Man, at any reasonable range. That is, if you can hit, it can.
Thanks. Since I own a Cougar, I’m also thinking of the Cx4. 9mm HP has plenty of take-down power (though I’d never use 9mm FMJ for self-defense), and for some reason I am partial to Beretta.