being a pistol

Rankin told attorneys for Denyakin’s family in 2012 that he had received standard firearms training in the navy, including classes from the National Rifle Association on being a pistol instructor.

In a couple of minutes the Mormons were all disposed of, the only casualties being a pistol bullet through Myzukulwa’s shoulder, which had fortunately not injured the bone, and a nasty slash from a cutlass which Leigh had received on his left arm.

A very singular piece of arms, being a pistol in a shield, so contrived as to fire the pistol, and cover the body at the same time, with the shield.

There was no need for guessing; the object named was plain enough in the light of the lanthorn, being a pistol barrel, whose muzzle was about two feet from the lad’s head.

Well, anyway, a slingshot's a long way from being a pistol.