The game is in great shape right now, the main problems are Bugs, Brits, and overBuffs.
Fix the game-breaking bugs they keep introducing, make the Brits less bipolar (UP and OP, like old OKW) and knock Riflemen and Conscripts Vet 3 received accuracy vet back a few numbers. Then things will really shine.
Tried to reproduce it, could not. The M3 as a whole felt a lot more durable than normal though, sat infront of an invincible Grenadier squad for nearly a minute and still had half health. Did the armour get increased, or gren penetration decreased? Maybe just wacky RNG?
That's not a bad thing though, skins are cosmetic and don't effect anything. For the most extreme example, the value of some knives in CS:GO is higher than $400 Steam market cap. It's the Commanders that people don't like being for sale.