How to get a laser pistol in the early game?

[Anna_TeamRocket]

I've recently decided to re-run this game, and found it weird I can't steal a laser pistol from the quartermaster after the first mission. Should I just lay his worthless, greedy butt down with superstimpacks, or is there some other way to obtain such a cool early-game weapon?
P.S. Super-Stimming him have proven pointless. For some reason, brotherhood ranks can't be looted this way, but only through the combat.