Ok... so your opinion is based on personnal experience, which I'm sorry to say has little scientific value (no offense here). Take a look at the important numbers (Impact, RoF, Range and Stability) : http://db.destinytracker.com/compare/3478790848,1011266581,1768925825 All 3 are pretty much the same. As for the perks for PvP : Messenger has third eye, headseeker and perfect balance (+35 stab, -20 range) TLW vendor has third eye, headseeker and fitted stock (+25 stab, no penalty) HP perks are open, but if you want to get something similar, you can get Third eye and Headseeker. For the middle perk, ideally go for more Stability and Range, but magazine size and reload will suffer. In the end, it's a matter of preference and playstyle, but there is no doubt that TLW is in the same class.