[COBrien]

Scoping my mini with a side plate mount and 2-7 or 3-9 scope maybe the way to go. My concern is minis reputation of killing scopes.

If you do go this route, be sure to use Blue LocTite on the screws of that sidesaddle mount -- the main complaint is that they don't hold zero very well, and it's because the screws tend to shoot loose.

My recommendation would be the S&K or Wichita Arms mount, either of which requires removing the "guts" of your rear sight in order to use the ears as mounting points. Each of these is a rock-solid mount, but you'll obviously lose your ability to use the irons.

As for your concern about the Mini being a scope killer, I'd recommend investing in some Wilson Combat Shok-Buffs for a 1911 (I run one on the gas tube and one on the receiver end of the recoil spring guide) and/or an assorted set of reduced I.D. gas port bushings (.050-.065" seems to be a good starting point, depending on your ammo of choice...) to get the Mini's unique brand of recoil ("BOOM-Bang-Clang") under control.