This suggests that you want to optimize the weapons for BALANCE instead of some nebulous (subjective) concepts such as FUN or REALISM, which I agree with.
I don’t agree, however, with the conclusion in that statement.
The only weapon that was universally discussed on these forums as OP is the powersword. You can maybe add to that list a couple of more weapons that may be overtuned (I wouldn’t know which), but that’s it.
You named, like, half of the range weapons in your first post that would need a buff, so, how is it not “easier to nerf 1 weapon instead of buffing 14” instead of what you said?
Additionally, if you are that interested in “having fun” with these underpowered weapons, you can always just play at lower difficulties and BAM!, your otherwise weak weapon can be fun.
There is no difficulty in the game where powersword is fun instead of OP.