Pistol refers to a handgun to me......then broken down into either a revolver or a semi.

I've owned a S&W Model 686 in .357 caliber and six in barrel since I've been 18, that's just shy of 20 years now. Though I've never shot a deer with it, I have missed one while driving deer. Many people consider the .357 a light caliber for deer.

Just recently I purchased a semi......a Glock Model 21 in .45 caliber...very nice handgun and I'm truly impressed with it. Currently I've only put two rounds through it but it proved very accurate out of the box. That would be 4 rounds total due to the factory firing two rounds before completion....again, very impressed with this handgun.