Queueing special action for grenadier gauntlet

I’m using a slab shield + grenadier gauntlet.

When switching from melee to ranged, I cannot queue up the gauntlet’s special action (the explosive punch).

I can queue up the shield’s special action when switching back from ranged to melee and I can queue up the gauntlet’s ranged attack when switching from melee to ranged.

Not being able to queue up the gauntlet’s special when switching from melee way feels super clunky and results in a LOT of damage taken, given that the main time I want to use it is as a close range AOE clear or big-damage dealer.

Is this intentional?