Are you kidding me? The old pistol looked fantastic and different to the norm. I love Desert Eagles but it's become a bit of a cliche of including them in shooters.... replacing a different pistol with one would NOT be good! Desert Eagles do have a place for modern or post apocalyptic settings, but not in the futuristic Halo 2 universe. You could say that the covenant bombing Earth is the apocalypse, but I'd just slap you

In Halo 2, everything is advanced in at least looks (as in the original Halo). If a Desert Eagle were to be included, it would have to look advanced too and original. The M6D pistol was a very original design in my opinion.
And I'm actually sorry to see the AR go, it was one of the most beutiful looking weapons of the lot. Even now, I zoom in on one on the ground and just drool at the pretty curves and metal detail

That too was an original design and it looked part of the timeframe. The battle rifle looks fantastic, but it doesn't have the bulkiness that made the AR look so great and futuristic. Although, I thought they were actually keeping the AR, just including a Battle Rifle too? I really can't imagine the standard marines running baout with Battle Rifles....it just doesn't suit....
Speaking of Marines, I can't wait to see what they will look like in Halo 2! We've seen what amazing detail is included in human characters in Doom 3, I just hope those in Halo 2 will look just as good.... preferably even better though! MC is already lookin gbetter than alot of Doom 3 models
Ok, another idea... I reckon that some of the covenant weapons that just exploded or vaporised should be able to be picked up by Master Chief. Just imagine being able to pick up the energy shield of a Jackal and running through a field, deflecting or absorbing alot of enemy gun fire to reach your checkpoint OR even blocking an Elite's plasma sword with the shield, killing him and then picking it up to wield at the same time as a shield! Melee combat evolved! It would really be the greatest! Although, maybe it wouldn't be such a great idea for the shield to be able to block a plasma sword attack, seeing that one swipe could break MC's energy shield and even kill him instantly! But holding a shield and a plasma sword and charging into battle behind the protection of your shield before hacking and slashing (in first person view!) would be superb! It'd also give a chance for Bungee to show off the AI of the enemies that is improved even over the fantastic, flawless AI of those in the original! The more clever Elites could go for shots at your legs with the needler or get out the plasma guns to destroy the shield temporarily so you are left vulnerable.
I think only two weapons should be allowed to carry at a time, but the sword (and shield) could count as an extra weapon (or 2). Wether the covenant plasma rocket launchers should be equippable, I don't know about that. Could be cool, but then why would they make it so they stop blowing up after user's death? Besides, killing a grunt with one whilst surrounded by his friends was priceless
I also think that by the push of a button, you can flick between first person and third person mode for Warthog driving and other vehicles that yo ucan pilots (the tank could have an interesting view from inside the tank with MC looking at a monitor showing what's inside his tank.