I feel like, since we have all of this customization for ship weapons, there ought to be customization for the weapons used in astronaut mode as well. So here is what I am thinking for this. There would be different types of basic weapon: pistol, rifle, and rocket. In their base form, the pistol and rocket would behave basically like the the ones currently in the game. The rifle would be a slower firing, higher damage, longer range version of the pistol. In their base form, none of these weapons would be very good. However, there would be a number of upgrade slots for each one: barrels, triggers, power packs, firing mechanisms, and scopes (any other ideas would be good). Different mod slots would allow for upgrades that affect different things. barrels could affect accuracy, add effects, and affect projectile speed. Triggers could affect firing modes, like full-auto, semi-auto, burst fire, and a few would allow select-fire. Power packs: power packs are your weapons energy source, and must be charged at a charging station when empty. different power packs can allow for weapons to consume energy faster, and are therefor needed for very high DPS weapons. However, such power packs are prone to overheating, and so very high DPS weapons must be fired in bursts. More expensive power packs can also hold more energy. Firing mechanisms: these can change what sort of projectile is fired, with things ranging from explosive bullets to long range beams. Some firing mechanisms also allow for multiple barrels, firing in sequence like a minigun, or selected for different effects on projectiles. Scopes should be self explanatory.
Of course, for there to bee much point in all this, there need to be a number of other changes. First of all, there need to be some good boarding mechanics for astronaut PvP to actually happen more often. There should also be more mobs spawing around for PvE. Weapon models actually being visible in first person, as well as the shots coming out of the gun, would be needed, since a lot of the fun would be the cool look of custom guns. Sounds would also be a must, with the mods on a gun affecting how it sounds.
All together, this would be a lot of work for the devs, and likely something a ways down the line. I think that it would be worth it however.
Of course, for there to bee much point in all this, there need to be a number of other changes. First of all, there need to be some good boarding mechanics for astronaut PvP to actually happen more often. There should also be more mobs spawing around for PvE. Weapon models actually being visible in first person, as well as the shots coming out of the gun, would be needed, since a lot of the fun would be the cool look of custom guns. Sounds would also be a must, with the mods on a gun affecting how it sounds.
All together, this would be a lot of work for the devs, and likely something a ways down the line. I think that it would be worth it however.