That is really stupid with the change to Hardline Pro.
And yes it WAS intended, it was even stated in the official guide.
Again, I don't use it, but devs need to set a limit to listening and giving in to whiners, same deal when they turned the anti-camping solution (a.k.a. Dual Model 1887's) to worthlessness, and now they are about to give in again.
People that abused Hardline Pro might get a chance to get something good, sure, but most of the time they got something worse, or better yet, got it stolen and/or booby-trapped by people by me - and more people doing that meant less time in action doing what they're supposed to be doing which was always good for me.
Thank GOD about the knife lunge reduction, so damn annoying whenever I hipfire someone and they teleport into me with a stab. Glad that they're finally fixing the Gunship as well, it's been glitched 4 times out of the 6 times I earned it.