I just watched your stream and you asked about the Mk System for weapons... what about there are only mk 0 weapons but with slots and if you attach something like pointer oder Scope and something you get mark 1 with one attachment , mark 2 with 2 attachments and so on .. and you can build attachments in the assembler after you find a fitting blueprint.
#Weaponmods
candid mauve
placid gull
I was thinking similar, but instead of attachments just make it a weapon upgrade mod where it'll go up a tier, or to a specific tier depending on how it was implimented. It would for sure lessen the impact of losing a weapon you love, while still keeping the scavange playstyle that they want.