you should always use cover when in the crucible no matter what weapon you are using. if you did not know how you use a hand cannon is shoot a couple of bullets take cover and peak out again and shoot more you will find your self winning more gun battles. autos out in the open over power hand cannons and believe it or not im not the first one to say it!!!! if i have more damage done to me if i take cover it puts me back in the fight. i always get hit harder and i take cover and it evens the playing field. i dont know if you use hand cannons at all.