Chat with Sara - Ask Me Anything!

Intro, AMA Format, and Joining Classic Firearms

Sara opens a casual livestream, noting it is lunchtime where she is and greeting viewers from different states and time zones. She explains that this session is an informal ask-me-anything and mentions a previous stream where she was kicked off, so she will not be showing any firearms on camera. When asked who she is, Sara introduces herself as new to the Classic Firearms family. She will be visiting the Classic warehouse and appearing in YouTube videos a few times a year to share her perspective. She describes herself as semi-new to the gun world, with about two years of experience, and plans to keep learning from the Classic team while documenting her journey.

Concealed Carry Pistols and Magazine Capacity

Sara discusses her top concealed carry handgun choices from her perspective. She currently carries a SIG P365XL Rose and has also carried the Springfield Hellcat, which she likes. She considers the SIG P365 and P365XL strong options, especially for women. She mentions previously carrying a Glock 43 but moved away from it due to the lower magazine capacity. She notes that the Glock 43 is a six-round pistol, while the Glock 43X holds ten rounds, and that Shield Arms makes a 15-round magazine for the 43X. She says she is drifting away from Glocks because they feel boring to her, though she enjoys “Gucci Glocks” with customizations. Overall, she favors the Hellcat, Hellcat Pro, and SIG P365 series for everyday carry.

Holsters, Filster Enigma, and Concealment Setup

When asked about holsters that are easy to conceal, Sara strongly recommends the Filster Enigma system. She calls it her favorite holster setup and says it is the only one she fully backs. She runs an Eclipse Holsters Zero G holster on her Filster Enigma and describes the combination as a game changer for concealment. She emphasizes that the Enigma requires patience, practice, and careful configuration to get right, but once dialed in, it offers excellent concealment and comfort. She also mentions Eclipse Holsters in general as making solid options. Her advice focuses on finding a setup that can be hidden well under clothing while remaining practical for everyday carry.

Getting Into Firearms and Content Creation

Sara explains how she entered the firearms world. Initially, she had no interest in guns, but she and her husband decided to buy a self-defense pistol for their home. She did not want to be afraid of the firearm, so her husband took her to the range and taught her how to use it. That experience led her to enjoy shooting and the broader industry. She obtained her concealed carry permit and began ordering holsters. Wanting to do unboxings like she had seen online, she started posting holster unboxing and review videos on TikTok. At the time, the platform did not really understand what she was doing, but her honest, real-life reviews gained traction because few people were talking about those products. Over about two years, this content evolved into a role she did not expect but now enjoys, eventually connecting her with Classic Firearms.

Brand Preferences, 1911s, and Full-Size Pistols

Viewers ask about various brands and models, and Sara shares her preferences. She says she wants to try CZ pistols and Canik models, including the MC9 and TP9 Elite, and has heard good things about them. She mentions owning a Zastava AK and liking 1911 pistols, particularly Springfield 1911s. Her hunting shotgun is a Benelli Montefeltro, which she says she loves. She notes there are brands she does not naturally gravitate toward, such as Beretta, Kimber, FN, Taurus, and Walther, though she has heard positive feedback about FN. She has not yet shot a Beretta but writes down the Beretta 92/M9 to try later. She also mentions interest in the MC9, especially a two-tone version, and acknowledges that full-size pistols can be preferable to subcompacts depending on the intended use.

Red Dots vs Iron Sights for Carry

Sara addresses questions about using red dots versus iron sights for everyday carry. She currently runs only iron sights on her carry pistols because that is what she was trained on and feels comfortable with. She wants proper instruction on red dot use and mentions that during a previous visit to Classic, someone began teaching her the basics. She owns several red dots that still need to be sighted in but does not want to mount one on a carry gun until she has practiced extensively. She stresses that battery life and potential optic failure are concerns, so backup iron sights are important. For now, she believes iron sights are completely adequate for concealed carry and self-defense, while red dots can offer advantages in precision and speed once a shooter is trained and confident with them.

Calibers, Rifles, Safeties, and Reliability Concerns

In response to questions about calibers and platforms, Sara notes that she has shot a .50 BMG at Classic, calling it her largest caliber experience so far. When comparing rifles, she is drawn to the AK aesthetic and mentions her Zastava AK, but says she would probably choose 5.56 in some contexts. She discusses external thumb safeties, explaining that several of her guns have them, but she leaves them off. For her, a thumb safety is an extra step that requires consistent training, and switching between guns with and without safeties can cause confusion. She thinks external safeties are valuable for people who want that added peace of mind, as long as they train with them regularly and avoid constantly changing platforms. She also notes hearing mixed reports about certain 15-round aftermarket magazines for Glock 43X and 48 pistols, with some users reporting issues and others having good results, so she has not personally adopted them.