S&W Governor problem

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bennettj

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reaching out to see if anyone else is having this problem. I have a S&W Govenor Revolver bought back in 2013 first time I shot it locked up on the first shot, was shooting a 410 shell. I couldn't open the cylinder, pull trigger or hammer back. took it to a gunsmith to have them unload the gun, then sent back to Smith and Wesson they said it had been examined and adjusted to their standard and was repaired and they sent it back to me . So I thought it was fixed. took it out yesterday to shoot and it did it again, locked up on the first shot. going to repeat this process of getting the shells out and sending back to factory. how many times does it need to do this before it is covered under lemon law ? Really frustrated with this gun...:(
 
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bennettj said:
reaching out to see if anyone else is having this problem. I have a S&W Govenor Revolver bought back in 2013 first time I shot it locked up on the first shot, was shooting a 410 shell. I couldn't open the cylinder, pull trigger or hammer back. took it to a gunsmith to have them unload the gun, then sent back to Smith and Wesson they said it had been examined and adjusted to their standard and was repaired and they sent it back to me . So I thought it was fixed. took it out yesterday to shoot and it did it again, locked up on the first shot. going to repeat this process of getting the shells out and sending back to factory. how many times does it need to do this before it is covered under lemon law ? Really frustrated with this gun...:(
Click to expand...

What does the brass on the fired shell look like at the base? I have fired some cheap (Centurion) .410 shells with low brass, and the recoil forced the brass back and bulged it out between the cylinder and the breech face, which locked it up. Switched shells to higher brass shells and no more problem . . .
 
S&W Governor

Muss, thanks for your story what ammo do you use now? I'm looking at my gun where the brass is and it does look like there is a issue there, the gold brass is cracked and I see the red plastic shell cover I think it is Winchester I shot. I see a pin or something under the cylinder stuck. Do you think I can unlock this by pushing on the brass ??
 
bennettj said:
Muss, thanks for your story what ammo do you use now? I'm looking at my gun where the brass is and it does look like there is a issue there, the gold brass is cracked and I see the red plastic shell cover I think it is Winchester I shot. I see a pin or something under the cylinder stuck. Do you think I can unlock this by pushing on the brass ??
Click to expand...

I unlocked mine by holding the cylinder latch open and pushing the cylinder on the edge of the carpeted shooting station at the range. I now use anything that has high brass, and haven't had an issue since . . .
 
S&W Governor

Thanks, got it unlocked and the ammo it locked up on was the same from before Fiocchi shell an it is a very low brass. I didn't know I had that brand in the gun. gone to try high brass before I make a move on sending back to S&W.. or I'm thinking of selling since I've had trouble I don't know.. Thanks again..:)
 
bennettj said:
Thanks, got it unlocked and the ammo it locked up on was the same from before Fiocchi shell an it is a very low brass. I didn't know I had that brand in the gun. gone to try high brass before I make a move on sending back to S&W.. or I'm thinking of selling since I've had trouble I don't know.. Thanks again..:)
Click to expand...

Happy to help. Don't sell it. The Governor is one fine piece of self defense and varmint firepower. Your problem will be solved with quality shells . . .
 
If you sell it can I have you moon clips,holsters,and ammo? Just kidding, I got mine when they first came out and love mine! It's my yard,tractor and trail buddy. I carry it in a pouch over my shoulder on my left side, easy access
 
bennettj said:
Thanks, got it unlocked and the ammo it locked up on was the same from before Fiocchi shell an it is a very low brass. I didn't know I had that brand in the gun. gone to try high brass before I make a move on sending back to S&W.. or I'm thinking of selling since I've had trouble I don't know.. Thanks again..:)
Click to expand...

The only ammo I have had lock up my Governor was Fiocchi. All Federal and Winchester .410 have worked just fine. Stop using the Fiocchi shells and you should be good to go.
 
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Mine locks up on various 410 shells, I have never had a problem at all with any kind of .45 acp

my solution is going to remove the lock as soon as i get the ambition.
once that is gone so is the problem.
 
Federal handgun 410 locking up

i'm having the same problem with Federal 410 000 buck. Not cool! What's the fix?
 
I know this is older message. However, I had this problem happen today. Wheel, trigger, and hammer all locked up and cannot empty.

Was there a home remedy or does it have to go to a gun smith?
 
410 Jamboree Cylinder

I picked up some STERLING .410 GA #8 SHOT, and it jammed on me as well. I was about 2 hours from any civilization, so after 20 minutes of tinkering, I could pull back the lock, stick in a small knife, and palm-hit the cylinder. I had to push the shells out with a cleaning rod. When I returned to town, Santa had sent me a few boxes of Hornady Critical Defense .410 GA FXT slug. I'm hoping this will fix the issue. Does anyone have a list or recommended 410?
With .45 runs like a champ.
 
Can't offer any advice and very little experience but it's all been good with the limited number of rounds I've put thru my Gov.
Numerous ACP and several Colt rounds have worked flawless as well as the .410 Federal, Hornady, Remington, Winchester in 000, 4, 6, 8, combo and slug.
 
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