RANGED WEAPONS - pistols - used by all of the factions, and so, both heroes and villains

Pistols are used by all the factions and are common ammong officers of all kinds of formations and among many privates in cavalry. 

Of course, they cost, so they are hardly available in the equipment of the poorest among troops - regular infantry - riflemen or pikemen.

A lot of those who own them, will have a pair of them, since a pistol can fire only once and it takes time to reload it. So in the event of battle, instead of reloading, a horseman will just fire one of the pair, and than another. 

After shots are fired, they might also be used as a blunt weapon, thus some of the pistols are constructed to be used this way, and thay will have some kind of a strenghtened handle, so that they would rather crash enemies' skulls, than end up broken on it.

One of the major flaws for those that use pistols is gunpowder. Sometimes it may be provided in bad quality or low quantity, and therefore, even tho a soldier might own a pistol, he won't be able to fire effectively. Or he will fire, but the bullet won't fly where it should and won't hit it's target.

Same with rain and water. These weapons need to be protected, some people keep them covered in holsters - like cavalry keeps them by the saddle - but many simply put them behind theirs pants and belts, or attach them to their belts.

There fore, it sometimes takes time for pistols to dry, same with the gunpowder. 

There are many kinds of pistols, as there are many producers and different types of locks, but to simplify things I'd distinguish only two types - a long pistol and a short pistol.

A longer version is preferred by cavalry, since it may be also used effectively as a blunt weapon, a club of sort, and a longer pistol means a longer range.

Also, cavalry can carry more of the equipment, since they usually keep it attached to their horse.

This is one of the reasons why infantry officers and navy people prefer short pistols, since they do move by their own feet and need to carry them  

Of course, as with every type of weapon, richer user might wanna decorate them, order custom-made versions with different features, expensive ornaments, with a handle made out of more expensive material, like ivory etc.

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