This is a catch-all guide for any expertise points put towards skill with a particular type of weapon, such as pistols, polearms, or vibroblades. This also applies to the various Lightsaber Form expertises, and to non-Rare Unarmed / Martial Arts expertises (such as Echani Martial Arts, Shockboxing, Na Jang, and so on).
These expertises represent your character's skill at using a particular type of weapon (or a combat style, in the case of Lightsaber Forms and Martial Arts) to greater effect than the average person.
No Points: You can be assumed to have a good, functional understanding of your chosen weapon, with competence equivalent to what one might expect from someone given typical training in its use. Even without any Expertise points, PCs are typically expected to have a greater degree of competency, ability, skill, or knowledge than an average NPC who might use the relevant skill/weapon, or at least the potential for such. For example, a PC with no points in Rifle expertise can be reasonably assumed to be at least on par with if not slightly surpassing a typical infantry soldier (assuming it is a relevant skill for them - a character who only uses Katars would not be presumed to be just as good with Pistols if they've never used one IC and have no points in the mechanical skill).
1 Point: You are a particularly gifted or well-trained individual with this weapon category. You wield it very well, with markedly greater skill, accuracy, and power than most, and are knowledgeable regarding what is needed to perform basic repairs and maintenance. You are good enough to participate in competitions or instruct people in the use of this weapon, and can perform intermediate level techniques. Keeping with the Rifles example, you might be a qualified military marksman.
2 Points: You are remarkably skilled with your chosen weapon and can achieve truly impressive things with it. You know it like the back of your hand, and what it is capable of. You're good enough to not just participate in, but fairly reliably *win* competitions. You're able to perform advanced maneuvers and techniques and compensate well for whatever weaknesses or downsides your weapon of choice typically suffers from. You probably know a good deal about the weapon's history, development, and specifications.
3 Points: You're among the best of the best when it comes to the use of this kind of weapon. You're a deadly whirlwind with it, able to perform feats others might never expect or think possible. Yours is the kind of skill seen in action holovids, catalogued in war stories, or passed down in folk songs. You can do all the fancy tricks, if you even want to - you don't need them.
3☆ (Mastery): Holy hell, how did you do that? You're unbelievably good. Not unbeatable, far from it, but when you're in the zone you're nothing short of awe-inspiring. You might well be the inspiration for a Tapanime or video game character.