In my mind a “pistol” refers to a semi auto firearm that can be held and shot with one hand.
A “handgun” on the other hand is a type of gun that is held in one or two hands that is not shot from the shoulder. This would encompass derringers as well as pistols, and also include single shot handguns and revolvers with barrels up to 15” long. So handgun is probably far better terminology to refer to those pistol FT guns.
Many happily refer to their pistol FT rigs as “pifles” as they are often outfitted with rifle scopes even though they are not shot from the shoulder like a traditional rifle.
Keep in mind your beloved BRK Atomic was technically called a “pistol” by Brocock.

but like you I think it is way too big to be a “pistol” at least by my standards anyways. But others actually use it as such so who’s wrong?
The Benjamin Marauder pistol is also a “pistol” in name and in name only in my mind and the Crosman 1720T was also intended to be a “pistol” as was the Umarex Notos. I own all of those and none of them are shot as pistols because I believe they make far better carbines due to their OAL. In fact I often refer to them as pistol carbines but some guys will argue they are just pistols with butt stocks even though they are nearly 36” long with said butt stocks and attached moderators and those same guys will turn around also argue with you that bullpups should be less than 30” long and are rifles.


Personally when a pistol or handgun gets much longer than 12” OAL or has barrel over 10” long the gun just isn’t a practical pistol or handgun anymore. Again that’s my personal standard. And if I’m going to put a rifle scope on a gun that has an OAL greater than 12” and a barrel greater than 10” I’m going to shoot it as a rifle because that just makes way more sense to me.
Honestly, at the end of the day, does any of it really matter? I think we all understand each other and we’re all here to have a good time and enjoy our hobbies in ways that make us happy. I say call them what you want and shoot them as you want and let the bygones be bygones.
plink away and have a great weekend ya all.
