You can't ignore the crit, which makes JLI hit much harder.
JLI get booby traps, sprint, 15 muni infiltration grenades, and thorough salvage. Pathfinders get beacons. If you think that is equal then okay.
Pathfinder have Critical also. They have 2 weapon than can score criticals and they are firing on squad with less entities so they have a higher change of 2 weapon firing on the target and scoring a critical faster.
In addition if upgrade with double bars there is almost a certainty that the the target of the scope m1 will be also receiving damage from another weapon generating criticals faster. Their vet 2 cool-down bonuses also helps them with the criticals. JLIRS hardly have a bonus in critical kills.
Infiltration grenades is not JLIRS ability but a dotrinal ability, thorough salvage also.
Pathfinder get camo from vet 0, mini map spy with beacon, sight range 50->55 at vet 1 making great spotter from start.
Even if JLIRS have an advantage that is too small and counterweight by the fact that they come after a CP.
If JLIRS see more action that has more to do with the fact that they there are in a more attractive Commander and the fact that riflemen are extremely cost efficient than anything else.
Anyway I have explained my opinion with arguments, if they did not convince you its fine by me feel free to have a different opinion.