There were two sides to Taylor's chapter on the use of a handgun as a last resort if down and being crunched by an animal.

Firstly metal covered bullets were not available early on for revolvers so he used to recommend an automatic "of not less power than the long .38 Colt Auto" for which metal covered bullets were available. The .38 Super Auto has the same case as the .38 ACP (long .38 Colt Auto), but the Super is loaded to a higher pressure.
Taylor goes on to say that since WWII metal covered bullets were available for revolvers so anyone wanting to use a 455 or 38 revolver could do so.

Secondly he did not advocate anyone weighs themselves down with a big 44 or 45 handgun as in any use of the handgun in an emergency the range would be a matter of inches and there was no advantage in a large calibre under those circumstances.