How many realism servers do you see up now, though? I don't know about other people but I'm a big fan of Countdown + realism, however it's hard to find either mode running and nearly impossible to find them running simultaneously. If there was a 'hardcore realism' mode, I doubt any servers would turn it on (though I do wish there was one).
I think many of the complainers are like me, they played the beta prior to the STG's arrival, saw how great it was and is pissed by how much the STG has negatively impacted the game.
You know I have found a decent number of realism servers for me with ping under 100, even a few with 64 players which I like. The only thing the game lacks IMO is a historic realism mode. I think this is the main problem most complainers have, realism mode is simply not that realistic, or at least historically realistic. A mode that got rid of unlocks, prototypes and reduced Automatics and semi's would probably fix most problems.
basicly where im at right now.
that and i really hate lockdown ticker, what a stupid idea that was.