The Musketoon was a short barreled gun that did not shoot accurately.  The gun was used only at close ranges.  Because these guns were so small, it was easy to use in tight small spaces and on moving ship decks.

The Flintlock pistol was a small light gun that was very portable.  Because this weapon was so light it was favored by pirates for boarding ships.  Unfortunately it sometimes misfired and took so long to reload that pirates had to use it as a club, or bring more than one with them.

Pirates also used a Marksman's musket.  This was a longer type of musket that a sharpshooter could use to shoot the helmsman of another ship.  The inside of this gun was grooved giving the bullet greater accuracy.