So in that case the Perth will never weapons free either. That gives the Beijing 6 3+ and 8 4+ shots which will probably do similar damage with a much higher max plus the Beijing has a better close action attack.
Dont get me wrong I love my Avalon but the reason I dont like the Beijing isnt a lack of firepower. Its the massive sig and being less flexible than a Tokyo or Perth while cost a bunch more.
I also disagree that you cant find front narrow weapons free targets most games. Since I started using the St Pete a lot to test the experimental rules Ive fired it weapons free about 2/3 games average or maybe more. Its all about guessing where ships are going to go and forcing them to activate something else first or know you will activate first next turn. Ive never gotten more than 6 hits firing one Cobra in testing but those double Cobras wreck ships!