More specifically, they changed out the SU-76/M's old barrage for a clone of the ZiS gun's barrage. The ZiS gun one costs munitions but is more powerful.
I'd just stick it in fewer doctrines. Swap it out of Mobile Defence and Elite Troops in favour of the underused Smoke Bombs, and let it be a good reason to take less used doctrines like Blitzkrieg and Spearhead.
M-10 being a viable strategy or not has to with unit balance (and in the particular case with M-10 being one of the best crusher, when it spammed).
Allowing players not to tech and still have access to both AI and AT vehicles/tanks has to do with commander design. It simply should not be an option.
So why do you keep suggesting making the M10 a call in then?