Another rail option for you is a Daniel Defense 9.5 or 12.0 FSP lite rail .. Troy is also making a new rail system that is seriously lower weight than anyone else (8.5 OZ for their 12" MFR version). Don't get me wrong, you won't be doing yourself wrong at all by going with LaRue.. I personally just like the weight reduction of the DD or Troy rails.. all three are as good as it gets with FF tactical rails.

Daniel Defenese: http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=s..._ar15literails

Troy Industries: http://troyind.com/MRFRails.html

For a light.. there's a rolling trend with a lot of folks to reduce weight and foot print. Low profile traditionally relegated to Pistols type lights (Surefire X200/X300 and Streamlight TLR-1/2's) are really effective options. I've recently changed over to Streamlight TLR-1's on 2 of my rifles now and absolutely love it over the SureFire G-2 LED's I had on them. Still either light option works great.

Rail covers.. bleh.. complet personal choice here. I run ladder covers because I like the lower profile and extra little bit of grip. I know plenty of folks who like the new MagPul kits.

For the Optic.. Unless you're hard set on CR123 batteries, you'll get a good deal picking up a used 512.

Something else to think about is a LaRue Po'Boy 2.5x flip to side magnifier... it's a great option for added the ability to reach out to 300+ yards and flips out of the way to let you run the red dot without it being in the way.

Verticle grips.. again personal choice. I've been dealing with a bum shoulder for years but have finally decided that I like the VFG further out on the rail (pretty much as far out as I can get it).. to that end I'm swapping over to stubby grips. The longer traditional VFG's interfere with prone and supported shooting when that far out on the rail. Both Troy and LaRue have excellent offerings here.

Excellent choice on the BUIS, another more afforable option is the MagPul MBUIS sets. No trittium that I know of, though you might have the ability to swap out the front sight post.

As to the gun itself ... ask around and see if anyone here can help with restaking the Gas Key. It's most likely well enough done to sufice, but it never hurts to take the extra step to make sure that is done correctly. Replace the extractor spring with a heavier one .. plenty of extractor reliability upgrade kits available out there for really good prices. There's some good reading about the why's and differences here and a few other places.

Snag a pin and spring parts kit and maybe even a spare bolt and firing pin. Just handy things to have as ready spares in your range bag.

MagPul PMag's are pretty much the cat's meow for mags. I run a mix of both metal and PMag's.. both run very well, but my ready mags are all PMag's. Take that for what it's worth and YMMV.

So the AR is a very durable platform but runs better when lubed correctly and heavily. Run em' wet. Plenty to read around here about care and feeding.

Cleaning, well here again.. everyone has thier own ways. I clean my AR's somewhere between 500 and 1000 rounds. I rarely if ever have issues with funtional reliability in my 5.56 AR's, my 9mm.. well that's a finicky pig

Other's clean after every range trip or what not. Just depends on you. Keep it lubricated and clear of significant debre and have fun!

Welcome to the additiction..