I went to the range yesterday and attempted to fire some 410 (Federal Premium, 4 pellet). After a few rounds the gun would not fire (the cylinder would not rotate). I had to open the cylinder rotate and then fire...I have heard of 410 problems (case swelling) with some ammo but I thought Federal would be quality ammo...anyone else having the same problems? What brand of ammo would you recommend...thanks

To me something doesn't sound right at all. When the cylinder is not rotating can you still pull the trigger? Reason I'm asking is even if you opened the cylinder and rotated it by hand when you closed it up you wouldn't have the next shot lined up with the firing pin. It would be at the 1:00 position and would have to rotate once you cocked the hammer or pulled the trigger double action.

I guess I'm not following exactly what's going on. If the cylinder isn't spinning at all but you can still pull the trigger and the hammer operates as it's supposed to, empty the gun, close the cylinder, and dry fire it with the barrel pointed down at the ground. If it rotates, do the same dry fire with the barrel pointed to the sky. See if it stops rotating.

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Jim

Um wrong length?
Don't shoot a 3 inch shell in a 2.5 inch chamber. Etc.

You didn't mention anything of the sort in the post.

I was attempting to fire the gun single action (pulling the hammer back first) the first two rounds fired fine. When temptation to fire the third round the hammer would not go back, nor would the gun fire, the cylinder had not rotated, so I had to open the cylinder and rotate by hand...to fire the next round

I was firing the 2.5 inch Federal handgun ammo

So far no problem with the Governor using "Winchester"
PDX1 .410 shot shells.

I am having the same issue with the federal premium ammo. After 3 or 4 shots it like it locks up. I have to pry it open. It looks like the recoil and pressure make the shells in the chamber bow out. This has happened several times. It happened again this weekend. It is very frustrating. I'm going to try some different ammo to see if that helps. I have no problem with 45 acp ammo. Only 410 causes a problem. I brought it specifically for using 410 ammo

With lots of hope put a bucket by the pond and put 410 pdx. Six clicks, nothing happened! Look at primers they were not even touched. Reloaded it, this time shot every other bullet about 1.5 meter above target( gun is not accurate nor can be adjusted).Now
I am here with $1000 investment looking like a fool . But then I said thank God I tested this and don’t wait for Zombie day. Tried Winchester ammo 4/6 fired. Them on that ammo shells got jammed! Had to pull them out by knife. Also on Winchester single action jammed too. I think smith and Wesson made a California adopted gun which works for the other side’s protection. How can I fix this now?

Well, it’s been 9 years now. Any luck?

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There's a Monster on the loose

It sounds like either a headspace or firing pin length problem if the primers were unmarked. Possibly crud in firing pin area. As for the impact, what range and what sight picture.

I would give it a complete cleaning and try again

You might try some 45 colt ammo to help determine if its a firearm issue . If so call s&w CS and ship it home on there dime with a letter covering your issues .

The last activity for richard02 was May 27, 2015, so I guess he gave up.

I was responding to Frank428378, a new guy who must have found the thread via google

Welcome to the forum Frank428378. Sorry that your Governor is not up to specs but I'd start by calling S&W.
This isn't any help to your problem but I bought a used LNIB Governor several years ago as a novelty more than anything but after I shot a buddy's, I got one and enjoy it. Not a single issue to date with Colt, ACP or shotshells and I've tried various brands and loads of different shot size including the SD ones. In order of preference for .410 self defense; Federal, Hornady, Winchester, this based on combination of shot pattern size (tight), accuracy and penetration.

I know it’s been a while since this post, but I’ve had similar issues with my Governor using .410 ammo. Case swelling was causing the cylinder to stick for me too.

Mind sharing some details as to shell brand, type, etc and as to what's worked and not worked? I'd be interested and bet some others will too.
ETA
Welcome to the forum.