I have a fastshot, energy weapon user at level 17 now and it works. A laser pistol has more range and firepower then any other comparable pistol... well, not against metal armor, but it's still good for TB. For RT shooting is just too slow and no good for sniping cause it gives away your location.
SEC are easy to buy, I have a stash of about 2k in my tents and could easy double that. Easy to buy, hard(-ish) to make. MFC... well that's another story. If you say getting electronic parts is hard then you know nothing about mining and refining uranium. Hard to buy, hard to make.
The secret (well not anymore) way to get electronic parts and risk nothing is... craft some junk, sell it for energy weapons and disassemble
Having said that... at low levels (under 15?) a combat shotgun will perform way better in most PvE situations (its range is the flaw) and if it doesn't ... you can always craft 5 more shotguns in 15 minutes after you respawn.