It doesn't sound like weapons are the issue, more like survivability and maneuverability.
1) Add plenty of shield cells to your loadout. As your combat skills improve you will come to rely on them less. For now stock up and get spamming. They will keep you alive.
2) The Python is a different ship with 4 pips to engines. Blue zone turns, FAOff, Reverse throttle and heavy thruster usage are also important. Practice is the key here, she is a big ship but still agile enough to be able to keep fixed weapons pointed at a light fighter when you master her.