A pulse pistol was a small arms version of pulse weaponry that was one of the most common types of weapons in the galaxy. The standard issue Peacekeeper sidearm fired small bolts of yellow or red energy powered by chakan oil that were able to killing most species save for Scarrans.

The pistol could be set to overload, causing a large explosion relative to the amount of ammunition remaining. Despite the fact that the weapon did not use expendable shell casings, they were capable of jamming resulting in shots that would flicker weakly and fall to the ground after only a few feet. There was a mount on the right side, where a laser sight could be attached.

John Crichton eventually adopted one particular pulse pistol as his own which he christened "Winona". He considered it to be more dependable than other pistols.

Scorpius used a larger version of the standard pulse-pistol. ("The Hidden Memory"; Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars; "Liars, Guns and Money - Plan B") He used this weapon to kill Gilina Renaez. In addition, Scorpius also carried a single shot pulse device in his cooling rod mechanism. Rygel XVI used this weapon while trapped with Scorpius. ("I-Yensch, You-Yensch")