ID of an old sci-fi book wanted...

[Harold Mayo]

I was reminded recently of a sci-fi novel that I read in my childhood. I cannot remember what the name was but I remember some details. I would appreciate it if anyone could ID this book for me.

Details:

1. Starship crashes on a world that they were sent to explore
2. Crew is armed with a variety of cool handguns. The captain has a handgun that fires atomic (the book is old enough that they used the word "atomic" instead of "nuclear") rounds.
3. The crew kills at least one giant slug or snail on the planet

That's about it. Anyone have any idea...?

[Gallowglass]

Originally posted by Harold Mayo
I was reminded recently of a sci-fi novel that I read in my childhood. I cannot remember what the name was but I remember some details. I would appreciate it if anyone could ID this book for me.

Details:

1. Starship crashes on a world that they were sent to explore
2. Crew is armed with a variety of cool handguns. The captain has a handgun that fires atomic (the book is old enough that they used the word "atomic" instead of "nuclear") rounds.
3. The crew kills at least one giant slug or snail on the planet

That's about it. Anyone have any idea...?

This sounds a little like "Exiles of ColSec" by Douglas Hill - except they have a laser, not an atomic handgun. But they do kill a giant worm.