Strongest close-range weapon?

I didnt ask about melee. I asked about WEAPONS.

I tried to break that one out in the bedroom.

Andddddd now I'm single again.😢

Weapons in this game are Bad.

Equipping a Ruzad shotgun for the 5% melee damage bonus inherent to the weapon is more effective than trying to shoot things to death with the actual bullets.

Any shotgun with a melee optimizer is better than any weapon without a melee optimizer mod. Pistols with their melee mod are the next best option.

If you aren't going for melee optimization then the best weapons for close range are sniper rifles, namely the incisor, raptor, and vanquisher. The only gun that is decent that isn't a sniper rifle is the piranha, although the sidewinder is almost acceptable. The best you are going to get from the assault rifles is the thokin, but it's mediocre.

Unless you have the ultra rare pirrahna you are not in luck.
The raptor and incisor are super accessible being uncommon, and are 2 of the most powerful weapons in the whole multiplayer arsenal.
The rare vanquisher is ideal for almost everything if you have it.

Need help removing the body?

I have been running the Piranha for the past few games. It does its job so far. And yes, the melee mod is mandatory, thats why I chose pistols or shot guns over the other weapons.
The Hurrican was also fine IMO, however the Piranha (I only got it on III) seems to have a bit higher DPS, yet less range. But as I mentioned, that I was looking for the best close-up weapon. The Piranha seems to be number 1 so far....

I really like the Revenant for super close range.. in addition to the other recommendations.