Live Stream W/ Kaya - Ask Me ANYTHING!

Late start, range training, and joining Classic Firearms

Kaya opens the stream apologizing for being late, explaining he just returned from a solo training session at a range in South Carolina after driving from Charlotte. He mentions spending the last three days at the range working personal drills, since filming videos for Classic Firearms rarely provides real training value; those shoots are mostly brief shooting and on-camera impressions. He notes that several Classic team members, including Clint, Ryan, and John, are away at a SureFire event, which gave him time to focus on his own practice. Kaya interacts with regular viewers by name and mentions grabbing a protein shake instead of coffee due to time, then settles into the Q&A format of the live stream.

Getting a job at Classic and SAR/Turkish background

A viewer asks how to get a job with Classic Firearms, and Kaya advises going to the Classic Firearms site, emailing a resume and cover letter, and clearly stating what role is desired. He gives an example of a new employee, Brandon, who repeatedly emailed his resume while working a full-time job and was eventually hired to do on-camera hand modeling style work. Kaya also responds to a comment about SAR and being called “Turkish Elvis,” referencing his past connection with SAR. He explains that when he left SAR there was no CEO, only a company president, and that a previous CEO was fired shortly after Kaya left because of serious disagreements. He clarifies he was a contractor rather than a direct employee and left rather than continue working under leadership he considered incompetent.

Illinois and California gun laws and equal protection

Kaya addresses a question about whether a police officer can own an AR-15 in Chicago. He explains that under Illinois’ so‑called assault rifle ban, certain groups such as retirees, some military, and police officers appear to be exempt, while civilians are not. He considers this unequal treatment unfair as a former police officer and notes that an Equal Protection challenge is central to ongoing legal disputes. On California, he is asked if residents will regain gun rights, particularly regarding magazine bans. He notes that California’s magazine ban was struck down, then returned to enforcement, and that higher courts are expected to review it again under the Bruen decision framework. He is uncertain how California will ultimately handle it but states that, if Bruen is properly followed, the ban should be lifted.

Carry pistol recommendations and Hellcat Pro setup

A viewer asks for recommendations on a 9mm, optics‑ready, high‑capacity concealed carry pistol. Kaya notes that modern micro‑compacts and hybrid pistols now offer 15–17 round capacities in relatively small frames. He personally carries a Springfield Hellcat Pro rather than the smaller Hellcat, explaining that extremely small guns are easier to conceal but can be harder to manipulate effectively under stress. The Hellcat Pro’s size works better for his hands and intended defensive use. He mentions its 15+1 capacity with a standard magazine and the option to extend to around 18 rounds, though he does not feel the need for extensions. The pistol is cut for a red dot, which he considers important. He also briefly cites alternatives like the SIG P365 X-Macro, FN Reflex, FN 509C, and Smith & Wesson Shield Plus, while emphasizing that the Hellcat Pro is his personal choice.

Dealing with haters and community rifle build content

Kaya reflects on his time at Classic Firearms, noting that November 1 will mark about a year since he joined. He still sees comments asking who he is, which he initially understood during the first six months but now finds surprising. He invites newer viewers to ask questions about his background. A viewer requests more reviews of community rifle builds, and Kaya agrees that those segments are enjoyable and can be brought back periodically, though not necessarily every live stream, to leave room for direct Q&A. He acknowledges some negative comments and “haters” but states they will not shake him. Throughout this segment he continues to greet returning viewers by name and maintain a conversational tone focused on community interaction rather than heavy promotion.

Choosing FBI over DEA and working with CIA

Responding to a question about why he joined the FBI instead of the CIA, Kaya explains that he was previously an Illinois State Police trooper and detective and had long wanted to join what he viewed as a premier federal law enforcement agency. He tested with both the FBI and DEA, reaching the final stages with each. The FBI offered him a position first, while the DEA called him with an offer when he was already at Quantico, about one and a half to two months from graduating as a special agent. Even if offers had arrived simultaneously, he believes he would have chosen the FBI because DEA work is heavily focused on narcotics cases, which he thought might become repetitive. He notes that some DEA friends seem to enjoy their work and be insulated from certain issues affecting the Bureau. Kaya says he left the FBI due to a few corrupt agents, emphasizing that in a large organization there will be some bad actors but many agents remain solid professionals. In his counterintelligence role he worked with CIA personnel and found them to be good people, though he stresses that CIA work is far less glamorous than portrayed in movies.

Optics questions, suppressor confusion, and iron sights

A viewer sends a paid question asking for an optic with specific settings for suppressed and unsuppressed use. Kaya admits he is not aware of optics marketed with distinct “suppressed” versus “unsuppressed” modes and suggests simply choosing a solid optic rather than chasing that feature. He notes that suppressors and optics can work well together but does not endorse a particular model for that niche. The chat jokes about “express” or “espresso” sights, and Kaya treats it as lighthearted confusion, suggesting the viewer may be having a good day and might be better off sticking with iron sights. He encourages others in the chat to offer their own iron sight recommendations compatible with suppressed setups, while he refrains from inventing details about specific products he has not used.

LPVOs versus red dots and magnifiers

Kaya answers a question about when to prefer an LPVO over an EOTech or similar red dot. He states that a good low‑power variable optic is generally superior to a simple red dot or a red dot paired with a 3x or 5x magnifier, especially for target identification at distance. A red dot alone provides only 1x magnification, and even with a fixed magnifier the shooter is limited to that single magnification level. By contrast, an LPVO in a range such as 1–10x allows the shooter to stay at 1x for close work and dial up magnification for longer‑range engagements and positive identification. He emphasizes the flexibility and capability of LPVOs without dismissing the utility of red dots, framing the choice around mission needs and engagement distances rather than brand loyalty.