There ain't much of a difference, but everyone still manages to throw themselves into a fit of hysteria at the very mention of a sorceress. Para-magic is just a method of replication, so it's always going to be inferior to a sorceress' magic. Guess using your own energy instead of relying on the energy around you is a frightening concept.

[ Her mentioning of being Squall's roommate is enough to keep him amused enough to handle her remarks about his gunblade. Yeah, yeah, she's right, but he doesn't care. In a world where guns are readily available and actually shoot projectiles, a weapon like a gunblade is inferior. But a knight uses a gunblade, not a pistol! ]

The design may not be perfect, but it ain't all that heavy'n I can swing it around with one hand just fine. Squall's is the heavier model with a longer handle, meant for two-hands. Despite Hyperion's imperfections, it's always gotten the job done for me. You either learn to use the recoil to your advantage or you use a sword or nunchucks or your fists... or get torn apart by a Behemoth.