I love my Mini 14 although I am seriously looking at the barrel harmonic dampener to dial in the accuracy. I don't have it scoped, but am considering putting one on. Your comment on the red dot is interesting. Mine came with the folding stock, but it works.

When I get the money it is going towards this...

Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM2

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=18

About as short in .308 as you can get. Drop it in a folding stock and it is about as compact as you can get (maybe 18" folded). It is a heavy mother though...

Bill