I would like to see some peoples KISS Rifles. I currently have one that is pretty much stock. I just swapped out the Carry handle for a MBUS to shave a bit of weight off. I don’t even think I am going to add an Optic at this point.
I am curious to see what your Version of KISS is.
This is a pretty good start.
this was originally gonna be an SDM-R, and still will be… but once I got it together, it was the closest thing to an M16A2 i’d owned in a long time, and nostalgia kicked in. i had some carry handles lying around, so i plopped one on and called it “Rifle.”
it now sports a 2-point and XTMs. i’ll put a K or so through it and enjoy the kiss-ness while i build a true 20" A2-style rifle, then finish with a bipod, larue SPR/leupy combo, and krylon. if it wasn’t a Noveske barrel/MUR, i’d keep it just like this and forget the A2 build.
KISS is my middle name – I can’t afford to go “tacticoooooool” 
10.5" XM177 “clone”
14.5" Frankenstein
16" Bushmaster ORC (Optical Ready Carbine)
As good a time as any to introduce myself … I got lucky, in that being brand new to the AR gig, I don’t think I made any bad choices:
I wanted:
a) a carbine length for a “truck gun;”
b) a collapsible stock to aid in short length and variable shooting positions;
c) a holosight;
d) reliability.
This Colt LE6920 with an Eotech and Troy folding rear has been perfect in all respects. I have since added an Ergo grip, and I believe that is “it” as far as modifications go.
I’ve only had it about a month and already have ten or eleven feral hogs to its credit.
That might include two with the Baer.
New LMT Defender SOPMOD w/ MBUS. Might get an optic, might get a rail and flashlight. Heck, might just get a fixed iron sight and call it good. We’ll see as I get this thing broke in and build the blow money account back up.
There’s three kinds of KISS. There’s keeping the rifle to the bare minimum but still taking advantage of technology to increase your effectiveness with it (RDS, light, BUIS, sling), there’s keeping the gun closer to stock for a specific purpose like keeping costs down for a loaner or truck gun, and there’s sticking your head in the sand refusing to acknowledge potential improvements to the system out of some kind of stubbornness or need to be anachronistic.
My version
I think of a KISS rifle as somewhere between Rob_S 's options 2 and 3, though I don’t see #3 as being hardheaded. I see a KISS rifle as simple, with as little to go wrong on it as possible. It should be lightweight and easy to handle. It will not be your “go to every time” gun, but it could fill all roles evenly, though not as good in some as others. At least by my definition, some of the hallmarks are:
I’m in the process of building my KISS/ IDF carbine. I’ll have pics up soon. The features of mine:
I guess I should have better defines what I see as a KISS rifle.
It is similar to what Sundance just said. Basic sights, no rails, no optics, no lights, etc.
It isn’t from some misguided thought that any of this new fangled stuff can’t be trusted. It is more of just a fun project to build a lite simple rifle.
I refer to that as a “Reduced Capability Rifle”.
I’ve definitely got a KISS carbine (though some of the parts aren’t “original gov’t issue”. They are the parts I bought to go on the rifle though…
Since these pics I have added a Surefire G2 in a VTAC light mount and an IDF sling. Once I have the money I’ll add an Aimpoint Comp ML2 (probably) in the proper mount… and I’d still call the rifle a KISS carbine at that point.
I’m in the same camp as Rob_s and The_Katar… a RDS, sling, and light are just about mandatory on a fighting rifle - anything above that starts over-complicating the rifle and negating KISS status (in my book).
I see no reason to throw money into an Amish Rifle.
To me a rifle is a tool and the purpose of that tool is to save your life if need be. For me, I want a rifle that will give me a higher percentage of coming out alive and that means equipping it with at least an RDS. These give a significant advantage over irons thus giving you a better chance at surviving. The AR platform is versatile so I see no reason not to take advantage of its versatility. Im not saying everyone should put every accessory known to man on it but ones that you can utilize effectively and efficiently.
On the other hand if you have money to just blow and you have other ARs that can do the job, I guess its not a problem.
Agreed, unless that is all you can afford at the time.
Going to add a light here soon.
The only problem with KISS is that at the end of the day you’re still stupid. 
The KISS rifle for both necessity and fun. Necessity for my wife of lighter build. This was not not a outright light weight carbine, but pretty close. A Colt LW barrel, Colt SP-1 lower, a demoted Aimpoint M2.
For me KISS is simply a case of retro/fun. No optics, pure and simple.
For a moment there I thought that I was on TOS.