Borderlands Questions? (LONG)?

Yes you can get past level 50 on borderlands without general knoxx and ninja claptraps. I got to level 61 with general knoxx and before i got it i was level 51-55, can't remember. Yes you can get a combat riffle with more then x1 but without add ons your chances are very slim. Try bosses, they drop good ones. The urban stomper is good for not alot of targets because of its magazine size, unless brick has bigger magazine because of his skills. The repeater pistol is very good. The sniper has very good damage, but zoom and depending if it is bolt action or semi automatic, is bad with magazine size. The revolver is very good for one shot kills on enimies, but should not be used against bosses, or lots of enimies because of slow fire rate and bad magazine size. The rocket launcher says the same as revolver, one shot kill. The shotgun, if it is like sledges that shoots quickly, Should be used in groups because shotguns blast not fire. The shield is ok, but should not be used when you are getting piled by alot of people, has a good capacity and recharge, but you are fighting monsters your level, meaning there will be stronger people out there. And if you are getting shot from far away and cannot reach the person, fire wave is no good. The grenade mod is good, but at your level i recommend a x1-4 any grenade any element.