I'm thinking it's kind of a tacit admission that they're overpowered?
I'm currently playing Iron Gods, and we have:
A FIREARM that does 2d6 damage, targets touch AC to a range of 150 feet and effectively gives you Rapid Shot for free (and doesn't have to bother with Rapid Reload like other firearms do).
And
A MELEE WEAPON with the crit-range of a Falchion and the damage of a large (or HUGE) Greatsword (or Gargantuan if I cast Enlarge Person as well - that's 6d6). Oh it also give +2 to Intimidate checks.
To put it inperspective:
A +1 DISTANCE TRAINING (for Rapid Shot) Musket would cost 19,800gp, would have a shorter range increment, would deal slightly less damage on average and would still require at least one extra feat (Rapid Reload) to fire as quickly - and that's also locking you into the one archetype that can fire more than once per round with a Musket.
A +1 IMPACT Greatsword would cost 18,350gp and would have the same damage dice as the Chainsaw, but wouldn't have the expanded crit-range (or the bonus to Intimidate).
The Laser Rifle is a full 200gp more expensive than that Musket, but provides easily 200gp worth of value.
The +1 Chainsaw is a full 13,350gp cheaper than the Greatsword, and still has the better crit-range.
Because one does not simply introduce technology that is hundreds, if not thousands, of years more advanced than anything in real life, in a setting that is basically medieval fantasy, without it costing a lot. It is simple economics. If Pathfinder tech was brought to the real world, it would cost even more than it does in the game. It is actually really cheap considering how valuable it is.
LMAO!!!!