This makes sense. Handguns are much more difficult.Years ago there was an article in one of the gun magazines (before the internet) that discussed the training and skill retention issues between hand guns and long guns.
It was something like 200 - 500 rounds to get basically proficient with a hand gun, then 50 - 100 rounds per month to maintain the proficiency.
And the discussed how quickly handgun skills deteriorated.
Long guns required less rounds to get started. Less rounds per month. And if you didn't practice, you retained the majority of the skill even over an extended time.