That's not how I play my gunslinger or scoundrel. I will start off DPS ranged, but then charge in and start kicking and hitting the mob with the butt of my gun. Then you can do point blank shots until cool down of the melee is up. Far more exciting to do hand to hand with smuggler.
Also, are you just referring to the Smuggler Class quest line being boring or the missions overall? The missions on each planet can get boring after a while, you're just farming xp. But the actual Smuggler quest line has you chasing Skavak for your ship, going after other ships in distress, flirting with alien women... it's a blast!