Pistols can do massive damage if your aim is good. I routinely rape crowds of lower level enemies with a support and my standard 9mm. I use that until they get in shotgun range.
Rofl.
Note the sentence "Lower level enemies". Just because you can kill the worst enemies in the game with your worst weapon, it doesnt make that weapon good.
"Massive damage"... thats just so stupid I dont even know what to say.