User blog comment:Khane007/Axel the Noxian's Commando/@comment-24.251.106.96-20130125045723/@comment-4061583-20130125053558

I'd think the penalty that is the passive is to accomodate for the high AS. In fact, he'd get a disincentive to buy AS items, as the sustained damage is limited thanks to the reload mechanic.