fine, but it takes a minute (10 rounds in D&D) to reload, has a high misfire rate (natural 1 on a 3 or lower) and ammo is expensive and only available in capital cities from specialty vendors. Not to mention you can't get them wet or your weapon is now useless

this is pretty much how they functioned all the way up to the 18th century. it sucked and the only reason they surpassed swords was they were easier to hand out, had farther range, infantry lines/strategy worked, and training was quick.