Laser Sights are always a good idea, since they show everyone else where you're looking. I'd make them an always-on option (even without the superlative accuracy bonus) in Vs.
I do appreciate the AKM 1959 and will take it when feeling indulgent, but if choosing an assault rifle, will usually take the desert rifle (FN SCAR 16S). In Realism, the rhino-hided commons aren't dropped by single AK shots, hence the bursts of three help. Heck, it'll still take two shots from either of the snipers to fell a common in Realism Normal (my usual setting).
My usual job is keeping the Specials off my buds, so I'll take the Sniper Rifle (HK MSG-90A1). The laser is just sauce.[footnote]Witches in Realism don't fall to the usual gun-based solutions,. They kill with one swipe (unless you're incapacitated already) and there are no closets. So the only way to take them out and stay in the game consistently is to burn and run.[/footnote]
Also, if I don't have a bladed melee weapon by then, I'll take the Magnum (1337 PWN Desert Cobra 0.50, only 2000 made!), whose magic bullets do drop commons with a single shot, even to the arm.
238U.