Actually, I can assure you that you can be sniped out with a hand cannon in the real world (not meant to be sarcastic). They hold shooting competitions all throughout the southern United States with revolvers, where you have to hit targets from 300 yards. I forget the name of the event, but we've been holding them for over a century. Hand cannons have been used for ranged combat for hundreds of years. Not implying Destiny is some sort of weapon simulator, just pointing out how lethal hand cannons can be from long range. Thus, this nerf (especially on the Hawkmoon) is actually a departure from reality. Google Bob Munden. He can consistently hit targets 500 yards out with a S&W M60 and a standard velocity .38.