Phoenix Blaster

For most runs this is the end of the pre-Hardmode gun line. It fires fast enough that your ammo choice starts to matter more than the gun does, and with decent bullets it will carry you from the Dungeon through the Wall of Flesh without needing a replacement.

That fight is where it shines. You spend the whole of it moving sideways and shooting, which is exactly what a fast pistol is built for. Bring more bullets than you think you need.

The catch is the handgun it upgrades from, which comes out of the Dungeon and is not guaranteed on any given run. If your Dungeon does not cough one up, you are on the Minishark or a bow until it does.

The sprite is an M1911. Despite being forged out of hellstone the gun has no fire damage and applies no burn, so the name is the only hot thing about it.