Turns out they are. Got a response from support, it's an issue they're aware of and working on. Mailed me a Great Hunt Blaster, nice!

As the title say, are mercs supposed to get a moddable weapon from Hutta? To my best memory that what has happened with all of my other classes as they leave the starter planet. However on my new merc i got a pair of boots, non moddable. Still got the item enhancement quest, 'cause I had just recieved my first moddable item it told me, go figure. Bug or by design?