A child actor and a socketed actor are almost exactly identical.
Add an interface to the weapon actor. Toss the weapon actor in game. Attach the weapon to the actor like everyone should. Call the interface function(s) to “fire” or do whatever other actions you coded for.
As far as gaining FPS, you are the one and only I ever herd getting more out of it. .27 seems to be doing slightly better - yet still horrible.