[2021] How viable is bloodied heavy gunner non-pa?

I've been rocking a bloodied stealth commando build for about 150 levels. I don't have the best armor but it is a full set of unyielding. I'm working towards the BoS recon set and stowing enough mods make them legendary unyielding. May the RNG gods forever be in my favor. I'm a glass canon but most things don't see me. I have a 3* AA fixer and a bloodied choo choo (don't remember other stars off top of my head). They work in all situations.

My prior build was a heavy gunner PA user. I have a V ffr gatling gun and AA ffr gatling plasma from those times. I picked up a decent bloodied 3* pepper shaker from a player vendor. And just had a 2* bloodied explosive gatling gun drop last night.

At some point I may Respec to bloodied heavy gunner to try it. But wondering if anyone has been able to compare the two. I probably wouldn't go PA just because the unyeilding bonuses are so good.

I think the 2 questions I have are:

Can a bloodied heavy gunner non PA user outkill/XP a bloodied stealth commando? Do you think I'd have better or worse survivability? Stealth would seem better but maybe a hg can drop mobs quick enough it doesn't matter...

Again I'll prob Respec and try a few perk builds but would love to hear others experience and advice!