I am a huge proponent of the FAQ'd way of doing Ranged Weapons in CC. John "Archer" Tinney and Jeff "jjdodger" Dodge are not. This particular issue has given birth to an "argument that won't be resolved anytime soon."
Archer prefers to play it exactly as the rules state: "Improvised clubs only, CC modifier, ST+0 DM. It is open to abuse any other way." In part, I agree with him. My Ilian Templars with Sectioner bayonets do a whopping 17 damage on a charge under the rules of the FAQ. However, the rest of me hates it when my militia gets jumped by Mirrormen, only able to manage 4 damage against an AR 21 target. jjdodger advocated John's philosophy, as well. I almost had Archer swayed, and tried to put the pressure on Jeff.
Fortunately, I am enough of a pain in the ass to keep the argument going; so much so that it actually engaged that little part of Jeff's mind that comes up with wacky ideas to shut me up. He proposed the following:
"What if we had a weapon called The Improvised Club?"
My brain then perked up. "What? You're taking all the wind out of my sails - STOP!"
"No, I think this will work. Give the weapon a basic stat line, say CC 0 DM ST+2, same as a Bowie Combat Knife. That way, you can put a bayonet on it, remove the horrible CC modifier that rifles get by, in effect, turning the weapon into a Melee Weapon, and do decent DM in CC."
"Let me get this straight; you are prosing a rule that makes sense, is not overpowering, yet gives shooty troops a fighting chance in CC, and appeases all sides of the argument? I like it (while being secretly envious that I didn't thik of it)."
"Good, type it up and present it to the FAQ Team."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Dodge, sir, right away!"
Please, consider the following:
p. 125
20.2 - TWO-HANDED WEAPONS
This weapon stat Line is used for any model that wishes to use its weapon in CC as a melee weapon. The weapon must be capable of being used in CC (cannot have a "--" CC modifier). Flechette weapons may be used as Ad Hoc Weapons in CC.
Ad Hoc Weapon in CC
(concussive)
CC PB SR MR LR ER DM
0 -- -- -- -- -- ST+2
Special Rules
Natural Attack. Bayonets mounted on Ad
Hoc weapons increase CC and DM as
written and add (slashing) to the waepon's
profile; -1 CC for each additional Load Out.
p. 134
Scythe of Semai HMG
(ballistic)
CC PB SR MR LR ER DM
0 3(x3) 1(x2) 1 -2 -- 13(ST+2)
Special Rules
Sectioner Bayonet (slashing).