I like how the shock core is really defined. In ut2k4 it gets real hard to see where the actual core is and what is just the glow, but this looks super defined as to where the core is and where the glow is.
I can't really say if the combo is bigger or smaller than what I'd like to have it be, because that is dependant on the movement and other elements of the game. Right now the shock core looks like it travels at a nice speed and the combo effective radius seems about right, but then again I dont' know how it compares to the other weapons in the game. The artwork, however, is superb and the weapon model and shock combo look great.
Yes I think that the shock would look better from a side view if it was shorter, but I really like looking at the purple shaft when holding it in 1st person and if it was shorter they'd have to change the 1st person view.
Also I'm not sure how well the shock is going to look firing in 3rd person view with it being so long. Where is the shock ball going to come from? It most likely is going to come from neck height in the center of the hitbox's radius. And the shock core traveling on the outside of the long weapon might not look that great. But it might look awesome. It's hard to say, without seeing it being fired out of 1st person.
I prefer purple over a blue shaft. Blue just doesn't seem like it would look good. I don't see any reason for making it blue instead of purple. Blue doesn't glow well.