I'm not sure. Popular, yes. Out of hand, maybe? (Destiny)

by Kahzgul, Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 15:43 (3553 days ago) @ Ragashingo

I honestly really like crucible balance right now, though - if anything - I think hand cannons were nerfed too hard and they should remove the penalty to aim assist when ADS-ing from them now that range and overall accuracy have been reduced.

Anyway, my anecdata is that, depending on how I play, I have had success with every type of weapon in the crucible. I think you're seeing so many pulse rifles nowadays because the vendor IB one had a nearly perfect roll for PvP, whereas you almost certainly had to get lucky with a roll for any other type of weapon. My top options in each category right now are:

Pulse Rifle: Red Death, or Nirwen's Mercy (vendor edition). Honorable mention: The Villany (vendor edition).
Autorifle: Zarinaea-D (armsday from 3 weeks ago version). Honorable mention: Paleocontact (needs a good roll).
Scout Rifle: Jade Rabbit, Suros 43-Dis (armsday from last week version with Hidden Hand or four weeks ago with outlaw), Not Like the Others (needs a good roll).
Hand Cannon: Hawkmoon, Eyasluna (crucible reward, needs a good roll). An argument could be made for Zaouli's Bane as well (raid drop from Oryx).

So of the best in class weapons for each primary type, only Pulse Rifles have top notch vendor versions, making them the most common by far. I am surprised that we don't see more Hawkmoons since Xur sold it not too long ago, but in general, the easy access to incredible rolls for pulse rifles means most people will probably be using those.