"20 gauge slugs would be OK if it was a pump. I wouldn’t try it with a single shot without a .44 mag backup."
Sort of interesting. Mind giving a fairly short explanation of this statement to someone who knows nothing about guns? (Why would 20 gauge slugs be OK, "if it was a pump"? Faster rate of fire? Otherwise carry a giant pistol as a backup? Interesting thoughts. You sound like a former soldier.
Yep – former soldier – 20 years.
The 20 gauge slug is about .6 inch diameter and weighs in at 3/4 ounce (Winchester) or 5/8 ounce (Federal and Remington) at a MV of 1600 fps. For hunting there are also sabot slugs weighing 5/8 ounce, but these are for use in rifled shotgun barrels only. Large enough to stop a bear – if you get a kill shot and the bear isn’t charging from close up. The single shot gives you one shot. If that shot isn’t 100% effective you break open the breech and reload, close the breech and (if enough time) fire again. That is why I would either have a pump (five of six rapid shots) or a very large handgun for the additional shots if needed.