I didn't mean to spark a debate [img]smile.gif[/img] but...
The non-stealth pistol (at any and all comparable stages of modding) was, round for round, more powerful than the AR and more effective as a weapon. It didn't make sense to me then and it still doesn't now. Halo was even worse for this. 5 or 6 bullets from the pistol was as effective as 60 bullets from the AR. WTF? System Shock's bullet weapons (although they couldn't be modded to the same extent) were much more satisfying.