Identy crisis?

[red caddy 51]

An interesting question came up for discussion/debate in the shop today.

Question: How do you tell/prove a particular action is classified as a pistol or rifle? We are talking, primarily about Savage short action's (mod 10, 12 etc.) and Remington Mod. 600, XP-100 etc.)

Situation: A customer lay's a stripped Savage short action and an "in the white" Rem 600 action, on the counter and ask's if I can build him a varmint pistol and a hunting pistol using these two actions.

Given all the turmoil and movement in DOJ and BATFE, lately, I have no idea what the right (legal) answer is.

HELP

Thanks, Paul