By early 1600s a pair of wheellock pistols backed up with a sword was the cavalry weapon in most of Europe. And why not ? In the average soldiers' hands it may not have been accurate beyond much beyond five meters, and could only penetrate decent armor at about five meters or closer, but unlike the earlier lance (which had at best the same reach) it didn't occupy hands or get in the way when not in use. And of course firearms are kind of scary even for veterans.

'Course, the things were pretty darn expensive too, what with being mechanically fairly complex and all - for example the Swedish had to import most of theirs, and official records suggest a pair was about as expensive as a cavalryman's armor...