>>3
Eh it's not like it's TOO long to get to Reno and bust into the SAD. Once you've done that and you've got your turbo plasma gun, resistance just melts out of the way. I generally don't even think the pulse rifle's too vital by the point you get it. Especially if you're already nearing level 24, because once you have the sniper perk it really doesn't matter so much what you use.
Though I usually play 10 LK characters.