They took it out because can you imagine 20 maxes using flamethrowers? That will literally destroy your graphics processor.
From what I've heard, the MAX's flamethrowers were removed, because so many MAX's gathered and used said flamethrowers and crashed a server?
Dude, imagine the NC MAXes with a shotgun on one arm, flamethrower on the other. CQC domination, all day, 'erry day.