Let me run this logic train by you.

The fact it says "variant" is not the significant part of the description. Every weapon has a "variations" tab that lists all the variants of that weapon-type. For a Scrambler Pistol, for example, you'd fine Militia, Staff Recruiter, Viziam, and Wolfman's on the variations tap. They're all friggin "variants". If you want to focus on that part - all that means is it's a scrambler pistol as opposed to a Coffee Maker.

There are two places (aside from "stats", which would be the more obvious differences) where the weapon qualities/differences are made known: the description and the meta level.

A Militia quality Scrambler will read as:
A standard-issue scrambler pistol that is less efficient and bulkier than other variants.

The militia "variant" sets itself apart by pointing out that is is less efficient and bulkier than other variants. That's the "Militia" difference. Less efficient & bulkier! It says so on the tin. It's also Meta level 0 to let you know you're at rock bottom.

A Dren Pistol:
A variant of the standard scrambler pistol issued to Ishukone Watch's elite forces.

How is this variant different? Well, it's issued to Ishukone Watch's "elite forces". It has a Meta level of '1', which quality-wise puts exactly on par with a standard scrambler pistol.

There is no mention of the weapon being "Piece of shite given to Ishukone Watch's ELITE forces as a joke", because it would be beyond retardation to give elite troops a weapon that is only equaled by the worst possible weapon you can buy. The description makes no mention of substandard performance at all. It also makes the Meta-level system pointless by equating STD and MLT level gear.

A Templar Pistol:
A standard-issue weapon used by the first Templars.

Again, no mention of the weapon being less than standard quality in any way, but the weapon has MLT fitting all the same. It also has a Meta Level of 3, which is above standard quality. 3 is actually the highest Meta level you can get within standard, higher than an Assault Scrambler Pistol or Breach Scrambler Pistol (Advanced will jump to 4). The weapon has MLT stats all the same.

We know the fact they're BPOs has no bearing on their meta-levels since the BPO for a Militia Scrambler itself is also Meta 0. This is separate from the fact that all other Merc-pack BPOs have been standard quality exactly, which means the pistols (Templar and Dren) and the Dren Swarm Launcher alone have bucked the item-quality trend set by Dragonfly Scout, Assault, AR, Covenant Assault, Sniper, Dren Scout, Logi, Assault, Heavy, AR, Shotgun, Toxin SMG, AR, Syndicate, Templar Assault, Logi, Sentinel, Scrambler, etc. etc.

There you go.

Even with this post, people still post about this again and again. I think I could probably pull up a list 20-30 other bug/feedback posts mentioning this simple simple problem.

Not even a lousy blue tag...

So, this still needs to be fixed.

Let me reiterate that the items in question are:

Listed as standard.

Described as used by "elite" forces.

Meta Level 3 (higher than standard, but given MLT stats).

That means nothing.

They determined that treating the MAG suits as "event" items instead of purchased items for the purposes of the AUR reimbursal around game launch was "by design". Enough people spoke out about how many people had actually purchased them, etc. And the stock response from GMs (this is by design) got changed.

Them calling this "by design" merely means they haven't actually looked at the issue, understood it, or anything remotely like that. The most recent developer reply of it being "by design" focused on exactly one part of the argument - that the text description about it being standard wasn't necessarily indicative that the item would be. Aside from being stupid, it ignores all the other evidence and parts of the argument. They straw-manned an issue rather than deal with it intelligently after sitting on it for months.

I continue to revisit this topic because it's necessary until the devs are capable of answering the argument in full rather than dismissing the concerns of the people that have invested more than anyone else in Dust universe. Many game makers are made to be accountable for concerns of customers who purchased their $60 game. People with these weapon issues paid over 50% more than those plebes, and not for a game... no, for items. Those items being screwed is slapping those people in the face. The product that cost $100 (or $150 for the collector's) was not a game, it was in-game items.

It speaks to trust in the company. It's a free-to-play game. You don't "HAVE" to give them anything. For what reason should anyone ever give them money in the future if when trusted with the largest possible sum, they pissed in your face? That's why this is important. It's the principle.

They finally got fixed? Wow. I mean, I'm not sure if it's enough to justify reinstalling Dust on my PS3 that got back from repair, but... better late than never?

Huh. That's an odd omission, if they were set on fixing the BPOs.