I though about a hand gun, and I have several.But on the Appalachian Trail, you go through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut; Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Most of those states aren't "hand gun friendly"
and I just don't want to deal with the hassle of getting my pack checked and explaining Mississippi's gun permits.
Also, there's the danger of a mother bear defending her cubs.
The extra barrel length of a 16" to 18" rifle might be worth the extra weight.