This discussion comes up on a fairly regular basis. Unfortunately, it tends to be the same discussion each time, covering the same ground in roughly the same way. Usually at least one person wants to kick up some controversy and get some heat into the discussion. Usually they fail, but not for lack of trying.

You might try using the Search facility to see what's been said before on both handguns and rifles in a backpacking context. It's been gnawed on pretty thoroughly in about a dozen threads. I suggest using the terms: "rifle", "weapon", "handgun", "holster", and "hunting". Those should dredge up quite a few threads to peruse. If that doesn't satisfy your thirst for info, come on back and give us another prodding.