What is weird about the term pistol? We even have a gang that uses the term: Hermandad De Pistoleros Latinos (brotherhood of the Hispanic gunmen.) I always figured/used "pistol" to mean a handgun that wasn't a "revolver"- so basically for semi-autos but, yeah, in normal use one would say "gun" or "weapon" I guess? But I wouldn't be shocked to hear someone say "pistol?"
albrecht, I once dabbled in the shooting sports. "Pistol" is a common term among shooters and the quickest way to say what the USA news routinely calls a "handgun" (imo because it sounds more sinister).
But had I not been exposed to the sport, I could imagine seeing the term as archaic or somehow else skewed. And I would not have twigged to the Newspeak behind "handgun".