The pistols are excellent at sniping far away targets, I have found the pistols be just fine as self-defense. They do their duty when I ask them to. Besides, it being the only weapon of the officer, he already got bunch of other toys, he got a whole squad to command, a whole squad following him. So I dont think he should need any more firepower because theres grunts everywhere around him. If you are alone, its your fault, get together with your troops.