Because tanks that can also heal cause serious balance issues in PvP and make balancing PvE obnoxious. There's a reason no AC has both a tanking and healing tree. They have pistols instead of assault rifles because they have all sorts of other gadgets to use, and it's easier to do so with a sidearm than with a huge assault rifle. Imaging trying to heft a heavy rifle WHILE operating, say, the touch interface on your phone. Then imagine that the interface causes fire to come out of your hands. Now do it while being shot in the head. So, yeay pistols. As for the rest, my eyes hurt too much, so that's as far as I read.

I agree, but I also think most of the Republic things look awesome compared to the Empire things (so of course all my friends wanted to go Imperial).

I'd adamantly disagree with that. I like making my character look the way I want him to look, and in a game that trades so heavily on character identity (more so than any other MMO, where my toon has an actual personality that I've invested in) that's important. I suspect that the reason they do that with PvP gear is that being able to roughly identify a player in PvP gear, and make a visual estimation of how tough they're going to be or how hard they're going to hit, is a relevant PvP mechanic. You would approach a decked out opponent differently than someone wearing quest greens. Unless the same is true of the endgame PvE gear, in which case don't listen to me and change this system immediately.

A few suggestions: Upgrade your companion gear more often. I actually find myself spending as many badges on my companion's gear as my own (since I get upgrades like crazy and she does not). I also can craft some armor for her, and as I level up Armormech I make sure to give her upgrades I can make. I don't know your profession, but if you can earn crafting skill AND up your companion, do so. If not, seriously consider investing a few badges in your companion's 15 level old gear before upgrading your 3 level old gear. Make better use of CC, stuns, interrupts, and openers. Interrupts, especially, if you have any. It can be a bit tough to notice an enemy cast with all the other stuff going on, but it can make a huge difference. As it's been said, stims and buffs are always helpful as well. Have you tried a healing companion? Everyone can use their ship droid for this purpose. He's freaking annoying, so I wouldn't keep him out all the time. But get him some parts and keep him in your pocket for those one or two fights where you just can't survive long enough. Having a pocket healer on a tough quest is awesome, and I'm pretty sure that's why they built the ship droid that way.

The game has been out for three days. . . sure, early access. . . but three days.