We report the operation of an in-line Nd:YAG resonator using self-pumped phase conjugation in Cr(4+): YAG at lambda=1.064microm in the nanosecond regime. The output beam has a high-quality diffraction-limited TEM(00) mode and a pulse shape of ~15ns , showing the self- Q -switching ability of the resonator. A maximum extraction of 18mJ and a maximum reflectivity of 2.0 are measured. A transient model provides insight into the energy characteristics and the dynamics of such an in-line resonator.