I mean, part of what balances the Scrambler Rifle from being super OP is the fact that it stops firing after about 15-20 continuous shots. Why not apply this mechanic to the Combat Rifle too?

The reason this is a balancing factor is simply because of the range. If you've ever used a scrambler at long range, you'll know that cover is your best friend. If you accidentally overheat you have to retreat, which is much easier when you're in cover, than when you're face to face with the enemy.

However when you do engage an enemy at 10-15 meters and overheat, you have a massive disadvantage against a player using a short-range weapon that doesn't overheat.

The idea is that with an overheat mechanic, players would be less likely to spam the CR at long range and apply it to mid/CQC like they are intended too. With how hard it is for players to hit their target, chances are the CR user will most likely overheat before they can burst spam to deal lethal damage at all ranges. If they try and burst fire the weapon at long range, they will be at a huge disadvantage against other weapons such as the Scrambler Rifle or the Rail Rifle because that is is their area of speacialistion, we all know the Combat Rifle currently virtually has no kick back at all.

On top of this, the overheat will make the burst fire/spam fire feel much heavier. When you have to constantly stop firing to let your rifle cool down, you have to endure the wait time every time you start firing or you overheat your weapon and wait 5 seconds.

The best part is that at long ranges this hardly affects the weapon. As most of you know, the CR already kills most players in 3rd rapid burst shots, which means that unless you are a really bad shot, or if the p with almost no recoil at your max effective range, you won't ever overheat when you're using the weapon as it is designed.

After considering EVERY other option, this seems like the best way to add some balance to the weapon in a way that doesn't hamper its main ability to kill at optimal range, but decreases its effectiveness in the areas that it really shouldn't be so effective in.