yep. I didn't see the point of side-arms before I got this! Dropped for me as I reached rank 4! This thing is awesome. I'm destroying very good players with it in IB. It's Imposible to melee /shotgun-rush someone who is using this sidearm and it totally freaks out the guardian your shooting with it. That improved muzzle velocity is no joke! Mine is still only 280 but it wrecks anyhow! They try to hide/run away but they can't. Only a super can beat it! Awesome!