The disruptor pistol was similar to the disruptor rifle modified into a pistol form for close combat battles. It was weaker and did less damage than a disruptor rifle, but could still vaporize whatever it hit. Primitive forms of the disruptor pistol existed as early as 3,958 BBY, and was used by mainly criminal cartels and the Mandalorians due to the fact that it was out-lawed in the Republic because most believed it was horrible and inhuman. However, the Sith army it was widely used by officers in the New Sith Wars. It was still widely used by criminal orginizations by the time of the New Republic.