If my calculation are correct the bonus is around 23%-24% more DPS at all ranges so is not "that" small while being available from vet 1.
Any issue has more to do with the restriction to cover than the bonus itself.
Indeed a great bonus for TWO weak guns, exclusively at CQC, exclusively in cover, compared to accuracy bonuses for ALL weapons, picked up included, all other engineers have.
You're clowning hard now, this is completely meaningless for your tripple LMG long range scenario and sounds good exclusively on paper.