Wasn't it obvious with the don't hoard message that this is what would happen. I've been reading these forums and people getting excited to use old guns, but it was so obvious this would happen.
The only thing that could salvage it a bit is as your light/armour lvl increases your guns do a little bit more damage.
The new guns in the game maybe better damage but the enemy gets stronger too so really it's the same all the time.