On today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I'm happy to welcome Earle Pope, founder and owner of Chestnut Mountain Manufacturing, a brand-new company out of Brevard, North Carolina, that made quite a splash at GunCon 2026. Chestnut Mountain caught a lot of attention at the show with their OKP-7 reproduction optic, a faithful recreation of the classic Russian-pattern reflex sight built for real AK-platform use. Please give a warm welcome to Earle Pope! More TFB Behind the Gun Podcast Episodes: TFB Behind the Gun #209: Ryan w/ Atrius Development Group TFB Behind the Gun #208: Vortex Edge's Chris Urrutia TFB Behind the Gun #207: Hot or Not w/ TFB's Doug E TFB Behind the Gun #227: Earle Pope w/ Chestnut Mountain ManufacturingOn today's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, I'm happy to welcome Earle Pope, founder and owner of Chestnut Mountain Manufacturing, a new company out of Brevard, North Carolina. Earle founded Chestnut Mountain in 2024 with a goal of bringing well-vetted, quality-controlled versions of hard-to-source products to market, starting with their OKP-7 reproduction optic. The OKP-7 is a faithful recreation of the classic Russian-pattern reflex sight, built for real AK-platform rifles and pistols, available in Picatinny and dovetail mount configurations and two reticle options.Today Earle and I talk about how Chestnut Mountain got started, what went into sourcing and vetting the OKP-7, and what the company has in the pipeline next.Chestnut Mountain Manufacturing: https://www.chestnutmountainmfg.comChestnut Mountain on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChestnutMtnMfgChestnut Mountain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestnutmountainmfg/ Listen right here at TFB: Listen to Behind The Gun on TFB – https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/podcast/Listen on Apple Podcasts: Listen to Behind The Gun on Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tfb-behind-the-gun-podcast/id1505843385Listen on Spotify: Listen to Behind The Gun on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5riFj2wJFloCtoKzvCc4ml?si=V-JiLBcXQSKw6cdtWzqdTwPlease support our Behind The Gun Podcast sponsors:Silencer Shop – www.silencershop.com If you’ve said that buying a silencer is too expensive, too long of a wait, or that the paperwork is too confusing, you’re not alone. Buying a silencer is a big deal, and we don’t take it lightly either! But it’s the easiest it’s ever been!Kimber – www.R7Mako.com Kimber’s award-winning R7 Mako: the polymer-frame, striker-fired micro-compact with 14 rounds total capacity, and a trigger you have to experience to believe. Feed your appetite for something different at www.R7Mako.com.VNSH Holsters – www.vnsh.com/behindthegun The VNSH (pronounced Vanish) holster is quickly becoming one of the most popular holsters in America and thousands of customers say it’s the most comfortable holster ever. Because you’re a supporter of TFB’s Behind the Gun podcast you can go to www.vnsh.com/behindthegun to get a $50 discount on the vanish holster which normally retails for $130. Visit www.vnsh.com/behindthegun to claim your $50 discount today!