My First Firearm Review & Disassembly Video - Seeking Your Honest Feedback

[The Hobby Gunsmith]

Hey everyone,

I’m excited (and a bit nervous) to share my very first firearm review and disassembly/reassembly video with you all. As someone who’s been passionate about firearms for years, I’ve finally taken the plunge into creating content around this hobby and would greatly appreciate your support and feedback.

The video features a detailed review of the Bauer Automatic .25, a classic pocket pistol that's small in size but big in reputation. I walk through its features, performance, and history, followed by a step-by-step disassembly to help others understand how to safely take it apart and reassemble it.

This is my first attempt at this kind of content, and I’ve been experimenting with new video editing techniques and a different filming setup. Since this community is full of knowledgeable and experienced firearm enthusiasts, I’m really hoping to get some constructive criticism on the video quality, editing, and overall presentation.

I’d love for you to check it out and let me know what you think:

 

[powderbrake]

I watched the first 2 minutes only. You have WAY TOO much camera movement. Invest in a tripod or other solid camera mount. The camera movement tends to make me seasick.
Lighting is good, as is the audio. I suggest you consider the background. The grey rug is fine, but the white tabletop and chairs are distracting.
Good luck in your videos.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I agree with @powderbrake
Way too much camera movement and too many times the subject wasn't in full view.
This video is for education purposes, not a first person viewer type of show like The Office.
I also won't watch the show because contrary to the usual viewership, I dispise bad camera work.

Video clarity and audio are great, so continue with that.

 

[Will Henry]

I know from experience that this sort of thing is much more difficult than it seems like it would be. It is all too easy to misspeak (like when you said "echelon" when you meant to say "escutcheon") and it is not always easy to fix it. This is where adding script or subtitles to the video can help (I meant to say escutcheon!).
Quite often, our content is a little on the dry side, and it's hard to spice it up. In addition, it can be difficult to play to our target audience. I, of course, count on my rugged goods looks and engaging personality to carry a lot of the weight but at some point, the content has to count for something.
Your lighting and sound are better than mine. Your camera mounting is much easier since you are working in a small space on the bench. I wander around more (mostly because I leave the tools in the wrong place) and get in the way too much.
As far as content is concerned, this one didn't really catch my attention, but I'm sure there are some people who are interested in the Bauer 25 Auto, who would like to watch. I am often surprised by which videos attract the most attention. Anyway, keep it up and good luck! WH

 

[Bill K]

A lot of camera movement and the first 3-4 minutes showed too much of the pistol. Move into the disassembly and assembly more, as that is what the video is about. Other than that, the video overall is good in my opinion.

 

[Dimner]

Good on you for putting out content and taking constructive criticism.

I agree with those above. But I will also add you have a very good camera (clarity, focus and lighting) and your sound is excellent. Dialogue is at the right volume and mix level.

Personally, for videos like this I like them to hit the 8 minute length.

 

[The Hobby Gunsmith]

I watched the first 2 minutes only. You have WAY TOO much camera movement. Invest in a tripod or other solid camera mount. The camera movement tends to make me seasick.
Lighting is good, as is the audio. I suggest you consider the background. The grey rug is fine, but the white tabletop and chairs are distracting.
Good luck in your videos.

Will definitely keep these points in mind for the future.

 

[The Hobby Gunsmith]

I know from experience that this sort of thing is much more difficult than it seems like it would be. It is all too easy to misspeak (like when you said "echelon" when you meant to say "escutcheon") and it is not always easy to fix it. This is where adding script or subtitles to the video can help (I meant to say escutcheon!).
Quite often, our content is a little on the dry side, and it's hard to spice it up. In addition, it can be difficult to play to our target audience. I, of course, count on my rugged goods looks and engaging personality to carry a lot of the weight but at some point, the content has to count for something.
Your lighting and sound are better than mine. Your camera mounting is much easier since you are working in a small space on the bench. I wander around more (mostly because I leave the tools in the wrong place) and get in the way too much.
As far as content is concerned, this one didn't really catch my attention, but I'm sure there are some people who are interested in the Bauer 25 Auto, who would like to watch. I am often surprised by which videos attract the most attention. Anyway, keep it up and good luck! WH

Thank you, yea its tough not messing with speech, I am more of a doer than a speaker which is where I have to learn to balance both. easier for me to do the task than have to explain myself out loud as I do it lol.

 

[The Hobby Gunsmith]

Good on you for putting out content and taking constructive criticism.

I agree with those above. But I will also add you have a very good camera (clarity, focus and lighting) and your sound is excellent. Dialogue is at the right volume and mix level.

Personally, for videos like this I like them to hit the 8 minute length.

Will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Hey, great content for a first video!

My content is not masterpiece work, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I would pull the background music back another 3-5 db to emphasize your voice a touch more.

Like others have noted, the camera effects are a touch dizzying. I turn a lot of videos off due to movement. It looks like you are running an effect to keep the subject in the middle, it might be better to let it float instead. It's a style thing, and totally up to you.

There are a lot of people on YT looking for trouble, I would suggest the unloading/handling portion be done to ensure you don't violate any of the core gun safety rules (really hard not to with a pistol that small). For example, you flagged your hand repeatedly before ensuring the chamber was empty in the video.

Thanks for making content!

 

[Rocketvapor]

I had the wife run the camera, hand held, for a video I did on SKS gas tubes and pistons.
Youtube stabilized it but the result was hilarious
Cropped out the edges and it doesn't hurt the eyes to watch.

 

[biggun2869]

I watched it all the way through and it looked fine to me. Gary