na... not really. not in my book... I don't see rifle hunters sawing barrels off and using open sights or really mediocre ler scopes to hunt. call it what you will. these long range specialty "pocket rifles" are not handguns in my book. And as I said....I own a few. I still don't consider them "handguns" when I hunt. I also don't see crossbows as archery equipment either...