If you want something to shoot at the range, the mini-14 is fine. If you want something in case of SHTF, TEOTWAWKI or the Zombie Apocalypse you need the Stag Model 3.
and the scope mount is only good enough to show you how far off target your shot missed by.
but buy a few of them, there cheap, you can trade one for a can of peaches when the SHTF. Get an AR-15... :)
I have had several Mini’s. I tried to love them, but they just didn’t satisfy. The mini-14s were not accurate. The magazines were either expensive or poor quality. They had problems with the cheap steal cased ammo.
The Mini-30 was even worse. There were no hi cap magazines that worked. And all that cheap steal cased 7.62x39 ammo out there was not usable according to the manufacturer. And both Mini-14 and Mini-30 jammed if you did use that cheap ammo.
Instead, get a Polish Tantal style AK-74 with a folding stock, or Century M-74 (Ak 74 style semi auto). They are accurate, handy lightweight, accurate as any gun can be with iron sights, and best of all you can buy surplus Russian ammo for it which is the cheapest ammo on the market. 1080 round sealed cans for $135 you just can’t beat, and the round is comparable to the .223
If you want something with more power, look at a Saiga chambered in .308, and it also shoots that cheap Tula Russian steal cased ammo very well.
Of course the AR is an absolutely top rate rifle in every aspect, perhaps somewhat better than the Russian stuff but also more pricy.
All of which are much more accurate, inexpensive, fun and usable than the Mini I am sorry to say.