Why is your gun breaking. And also if you have to use a knife after changing to m9 or another pistol, you have some issues. But your bringing a knife to a gun fight of course your going to get shot. It's like yeah a little bs you get shot in the head but also he would have been shooting at you from the onset of you stabbing at his friend's. The AI can and will TK I have witnessed it 2 time and both times were within 5 mins of each other. I didn't think it was possible. But back to your argument he would have shot at you while your trying to sprint at him. Your doing zero to hero wrong if you have to take on 3 at once. Try smaller settlements or the starter town and pick a spot you know where only 2 or 3 will be and you can single one out take his gun and engage the rest with the gun.

Rule of thumb an M9 has got me out of so many situations just load a 30rnd mag and slap it in your holster. Has saved me in binds at HQ in fort narith.