Firstly, This reasoning seams contradictory to your statements about Favorite weapons, as you list the spear amoung your favorite weapon choices, Which uses Puncture criticals as well.
Secondly, Now there is something missing from the Rolemaster Rules for Puncturing weapons, especially for Arrows and Bolts, and that is the fact that they "embed" themselves into the target, when they hit, and need to be removed. Midevil removal methods were rather brutal, especially if the Arrow or bolt had a 'Head' on it rather than just a Sharpened point.
Now I realize this isn't rules as Written, but I use house rules for Embedded Arrows and Bolts and difficulties for removing them and causing more damage. RM needs rules like this. For Melee Puncture weapons, I assume the removal is part of the damage inflicted.
Thirdly, if your ignoring Bows and Crossbows solely on the basis of what are apparently lesser criticals? You are losing several major advantage to all fights in history. Ones that are the reason they were used.
#1 you can hit your target from range with less risk to yourself.
#2 you can do it from Cover and concealment both for additional safety and to ambush your foe.
#3 you can, in most situations, get off several shots before the melee enemy reaches you.
#4 You can keep wary foes pinned down in cover preventing or slowing them down from reaching you.
And from a Game rules point of view:
#5 Unless the Enemy has a shield, it is much harder to defend against an arrow/Missile.
Ignoring such things surely does make bows appear less. But when considered, bows can rule an encounter as easily as a Mage with spells.