Why do you opt to model smaller details like the grooves at 4:00? Wouldn't it be better on resources to just use maps? Is it because it is a first person weapon and this would be noticeable?
Hey Brad, those do need to be modeled in this case since they extrude backwards at a 90 degree angle (depth doesn't exist on a normal map). Even if we were to scale them in so that it's at an angle the normal map would pick up on, I still wouldn't recommend it in this particular case because the holes also need to cast/receive shadows correctly in order to look good.
Hope that helps!