Just before you go into tear waterfall mode, let me remind you that penals are NOT basic general infantry, but AI specialists in AI exclusive tier and barely cheaper then PGs.
Also, there is this thing in T0 called MG42, use it.
While I am eager to see the new Penals, there is a possibility, however slim, that they may become the de facto infantry for Soviet meta. It would be wiser to make a stats comparison with other AI specialist infantry rather than appeal to what their intended role / intended balance is.
The second argument seems to imply, in light of my response, that the MG42 would necessarily solve all potential meta developments involving direct fire infantry.