Stuff I have bought for my AR:
1) Flip up front and rear sights
2) Aimpoint optic and mount
3) Sling
4) Magpul CTR
1 is necessary to use the rifle, especially if the Aimpoint dies.
2 is very, VERY nice to have since it allows me to acquire my target more quickly and place follow-up shots mroe quickly.
3 can help with accuracy, weapon retention, and carrying, i.e., it is quite practical and weighs almost nothing.
4 I chose over a standard M4 stock because of the better lockup (it's not wobbly). I'm short and A1 and A2 stocks are too long for me to use comfortably.
A laser? Eh... I think a quality red dot optic like an Aimpoint works just as well and provides the same effect. Light? If I kept my AR next to the bed, I'd definitely have one (wife says no rifles in the bedroom). I probably should get one in case I ever need to bug out (unlikely, but the stuff is cheap enough). Rails can improve accuracy (if free floated) and provide excellent mounting points for lights, slings, and VFGs. The VFG is a nice, ergonomic addition.
IMO, if the rifle will ever be used in low-light situations tritium sights or an Aimpoint are almost necessary, as is a light. I have trouble seeing my front sight when it hits dusk, forget about in low- or no-light situations. Sight alignment is important.
As for desert camo, I consider them no different than a yellow paint job on a car or red on a truck. All black rifles all the time can get boring. My wife's AR wears pink furniture.
For the weight issue, if you have the $$$, you can build an AR with all kinds of lightweight stuff and still have optics and such. Pencil barrels, Aimpoint Micros, carbon fiber float tubes, and Cavalry Arms lowers help make this possible.
ETA: rob_s, how is that light mounted in the second pic? That is a great looking rifle. How does she shoot?
