The M1 Carbine is the standard by which all PDWs are measured.

[stanc]

It would have. Would be~!

But I ask, what's the difference between that and the M1? It'd still be heavier, and harder to manufacture on such a protracted schedule, wouldn't it be?

The M1 Garand is 44" long and weighs 9.5 lbs due to the full-power .30-06 cartridge it fires. Had it been designed as an assault rifle that fired an intermediate-power round similar to the Russian 7.62x39, the M1 rifle should've weighed about 6.5 lbs. With a 36" long, 6.5-lb rifle, firing lightweight, low-recoil ammo from 30-rd mags, why would there be any need for a 36" long, 5.5-lb carbine?

I do like that last pic though. That's more than a little interesting. What is it?

Ruger Mini-14 GB. Made for the military and law enforcement market.