It isn't a piss poor idea all the weapons should be relevant or why even have them in the game. If we took what you say further why not just have VoC /fatebringer, ice breaker corrective measure job done.
What they should have done is leave the assault rifle damage alone and reduced effective range while buffing other things, but leaving poor weapons irrelevant is imo is just dumb... However they should have got it right from the start.
Oh and I've dismantled 2 invective and a sword breaker amongst a shit ton of pulse rifles and other shotties.