I had a TC New Englander with a red dot mounted at the rear sight holes. Didn't like it at all. Replaced the red dot with a 2X pistol scope and was a happy camper. It worked great. You might give that some thought.

What kind of scope and mount? Did the mount use the rear sight holes?

The scope was a Simmons, and even though only 2X it was fine for 100 yard shots and really fast to get on target. I don't recall the model of the mount. But it was a Weaver style that had a round bottom that "almost" but not quite fit the barrel contour. It (and the red dot) was mounted on the barrel when I got the gun. It used one of the factory rear sight holes and had another hole drilled and tapped for the base. Were I doing it, I would find a round bottomed base and drill holes in the base to fit the rear sight hole profile.