pistol for sure for land machines, but i favor a long throw steering wheel and throttle trigger, it gives me better high speed control-ability, i usually run very fast models and 2WD rigs, transmitters like traxxas stock ones give WAY too little steering control, lock to lock is like 10degrees from center, my models are all over the road like that.

i grew up with nikko style transmitters, once i held a pistol grip remote i was hooked.