Lasers starfleet

The pistols used by Starfleet in the 2250s and the 2260s were designed with multiple power settings. They had enough power to blast through rocks, security glass and to disintegrate humanoid-size androids for example. The laser pistol was also capable of being set to overload, resulting in a forced chamber explosion. These weapons were considered "old-style" by the end of the 2260s. (TOS: "The Cage", "What Are Little Girls Made Of?", "A Private Little War")

History

The Federation had utilized hand-held laser weaponry for over 100 years as of 2269. (TAS: "The Slaver Weapon")

In 2254, after having been kidnapped by the Talosians, Captain Christopher Pike attempted to use laser pistols to blast his way out of his cell, but was distressed to find that the lasers were empty. He correctly deducted, though, that the Talosians had been using their powers of illusion to make Pike believe that the lasers were inoperative, and he had successfully breached the cell he was being kept in. Later, after escaping to the surface, Number One set her laser to overload, informing the Talosian Keeper that Humans would rather die than live in captivity. This, combined with information they had assimilated from the USS Enterprise's historical records, convinced the Talosians that Humans were too unstable to be held against their will. (TOS: "The Cage")

In 2261, laser pistols were standard equipment for the Crater expedition to M-113, as well as the Korby expedition to Exo III, both of which were outfitted in the same year. The hand lasers were still in use in 2266. (TOS: "The Man Trap", "What Are Little Girls Made Of?")