I don't think this "system", counting pistols as melee weapons, will carry over. You know, it's supposed to be shooter/sword-game like, and I don't really think a pistolwhip will be allowed to carry as much power as a thrust with your chainsword... or even your combat knife. Definetely not hurting anyone who has even a shred of armour left.
Unless there's possibility to install a little chain saw on your barrel, it could be an element of upgrading the weapons. It's lore true and could easily work.
http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Bolt_Pistol this one has a normal bayonet but i saw ones with chain saws too (chaotic ones), I'll try to find some pictures and post them later.
I believe you, but still not thinking it will be implemented to really use a pistol as a melee weapon.
Well, never say never. I remember the devs saying something about the possibility of using guns to strike the opponents in melee or block the melee attacks. A bolt pistol is quite bulky and heavy and when equipped with a bayonet or chain saw it could deal as much or even more damage than a combat knife. What's more In 4th ed of TT in chaos armory there was even an option of adding 'spikey bits' to your armour which gave you an additional cc attack. I'm not trying to say such solutions are a must for EC but they're not unreasonable and could be part of upgrading system of your boltgun\pistol some time in future.
Blocking with a rifle-sized weapon is fine, but a pistol is just too unwieldy (or rather, too small and not enough leverage because you can only put one hand properly on it) to do that properly. I'm not against such little things per se, but I think they shouldn't overstretch.
I think blocking and striking with guns should be in the game but these actions should obviously be a lot weaker than using "real" melee weapons.
Apparently some feel the need to have them, i cant for the life of me see why. But if they want them the devs seem to be willing to satisfy their desire. I for one will be using warp powers over feeble guns.
