Mount A Camera On HD Shotgun?

[MikeJackmin]

This half-baked idea just occurred to me a little while ago, and I'm surprised that I have not seen any discussion of this before. Perhaps it's just flown under my radar.

Many police are moving towards wearing body cameras, in part to collect evidence if they should be involved in a shooting. It's a complex topic for the police, but for a citizen who might be involved in a shooting, I could see a camera being a very valuable thing.

We have excellent, durable, small cameras now, the GoPro is one obvious choice but there are others. Ideally we might see them integrated with lights, the way lasers are.

Any thoughts?

 

[Onmilo]

Most commercial cameras are not able to handle the shock of recoil for very long.

 

[rcmodel]

Myself?

If I need to use a shotgun inside my house?

Ain't got time to be fooling around with turning on a camera & lighting for it.

My digital camera takes longer to boot up then it takes to walk across two rooms of the house at a good clip!

Plus, just more battery operated devices on the gun to keep charged all the time.

rc

 

[19-3Ben]

Sometimes, depending on lighting and angles, cameras can raise just as many questions as they answer.

 

[oneounceload]

Instead of adding even more weight and battery (Mr Murphy) gizmos, practice KISS - the life you save might be your own

 

[lemaymiami]

I believe in shotguns for self defense and have actually had occasion to use one on the street as a young cop (around 35 years ago now). That one incident left a life long memory -and not a particularly good one. I have a very good idea of how that young officer out in Missouri feels right now. By the way, he's only half way done at this point since he's still facing not only possible federal action -but will certainly be the target of civil action (and that may stretch out for years....). Add to that the very real possibility that some years in the future he may find someone at his door with a grievance and a gun....

The idea of a camera on your weapon (no matter what kind of weapon) isn't anything I'd want to see, not ever. Whether it's a sidearm on your person, or a weapon you retrieve from your car and then run, jump, or do any of the many things you might have to do in an armed confrontation... I'd never want anything that might hinder or slow me down on that one time when your adrenaline is pumping, your heart is at maximum - and you're just plain scared to death..... If you actually survive the incident (and make no mistake that young officer out in Missouri is lucky to have survived his encounter...) the absolutely last thing you'd ever want is a recording of what the camera saw since the folks trying to bring you down will use it to the best of their ability. On that you can be certain.

 

[ugaarguy]

A constantly recording body camera makes sense for LE. A weapon camera that turns on automatically or gets turned on manually when you draw or retrieve the weapon worries me. The difference is that the former records everything that happens that leads to the confrontation escalating to the point that you're in fear of your life or grievous bodily injury. The latter only records the smallest fraction of incident, and it only starts recording after you've been left with no other option but to defend yourself with lethal force.

 

[primalmu]

I think your time, effort, and money would be better spent setting up a video security system for your house.

 

[rcmodel]

Or shotgun practice ammo.

And a lawyer on retainer in case you ever have to use it.

rc

 

[Field Tester]

I have seen a Go Pro mounted while doing Sporting Clays. The mounting system needed to be fiddled with at every station because it kept coming off. The Go Pro was solid though. Those cameras have fallen out of planes and lived to show the video. They're extremely sturdy.

I don't know if this is a good idea however. That camera might be more harm to you then help in some instances.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

ATN Shot Trak.

 

[nugun55]

This ain't no movie..

 

[Whacked]

primalmu has the obvious answer.
Everything is covered, even if you are not there.

I have seen someone mount a contour roam HD camera on the bill of their ball cap.
He did that to record his competition shoots.

That would work with a good light mounted on the firearm. However, something else to grab and activate and keep charged.