I picked up a hand ejector in 32 20. the frame s n is 11143. the cylinder is 45420. question is, can I shoot smokeless pistol loads? i realize I cant use 32 20 rifle loads. thanks for any advice.

Conventional wisdom says that any current factory 32-20 ammo can be used in any S&W-built M&P in good condition. The operative term here is "in good condition," The fact that you are observing different serial numbers on the frame and cylinder is a little troubling and would suggest someone has been playing fast and loose with the parts. Does the frame SN you quote appear on the bottom of the grip frame? What is the serial number stamped on the bottom of the barrel (under the extractor rod?) I might suggest that somebody took a 38 Spl and changed barrel and cylinder to convert it to 32-20. Regardless, I would have it carefully examined by someone knowledgeable about S&W revolvers before firing it myself.

Regards,
Froggie

Absolutely you can use smokeless loads, if you can find them. The high-velocity rifle loads haven't been made in over 50 years, so you are unlikely to run across any of them. If it has a lead bullet, it's OK. Remington's product says "Rifle" on the box, but it's not.

Factory ammo is difficult to find and costly. Most who like the .32-20 load their own.

The 80 grain OPE box pictured would be at least one of the ones to avoid.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

"If it has a lead bullet, it's OK. Remington's product says "Rifle" on the box, but it's not."

Well, it is correct for .32-20 rifles and carbines, like Winchester Model 1892s or Marlin Model 1894s. It is just not "Rifle ONLY", like the 80 grain ammo shown in weatherby's post.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

It rather depends on what you mean by "the cylinder is 45420." Is this number on the rear face of the cylinder, or just on the yoke and yoke cut on the frame? If that's the case, it means nothing.
Compare the numbers on the flat on the underside of the barrel, the rear face of the cylinder, the underside of the extractor star and on the bottom of the grip frame. If all those match, you are good to go.
A .32-20 HE with serial number 11143 would not have 32-20 CTG stamped on the barrel. It would be stamped 32 Winchester CTG. And the cylinder would not be heat treated.
Can you post photos of this revolver?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I will try. I am technologically challenged but my so is home for spring break.

Welcome to the forum.

Chances are the 11143 number being quoted came from the yoke area and is only an assembly number and not the serial number. Look on the gun butt with the stocks removed if necessary to expose the metal bottom of the frame strap. That number is the frame serial number and will match those found on the rear cylinder face, under the barrel with the cylinder open, under the extractor star and on the yoke when looking at it through one of the charge holes with a very bright light. Depending on the age of the gun, some of those serial number spots begin to disappear however, the butt number is gospel.

The assembly numbers will be found on the yoke and the opposite frame as well as the back side of the side plate and are only used by the factory to mate pieces back together after they are disassembled for bluing or nickeling. These parts were hand fitted to the frame and need to go back together for exact fit.

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James Redfield
LM #497

You are right. the 11143 did come off the yoke. I removed the grips, which are s and w but covered the butt. that serial number matched the cylinder number. thanks.

With the correct SN, your revolver is a .32 Model of 1905, Second Change (square butt). If it has a round butt, many collectors would call it a Model of 1902. It would date from about 1910.

Regarding the high-velocity rifle ammunition in .32-20, the last listing I can find of it is in the Western ammunition price list of 1967. After 47 years, you are not likely to find any.

Well, we still have a bit of a problem. If the correct serial number is 45420, we are - as DWalt wrote - still dealing with a revolver that shipped in 1909 or 1910. That still fits into the period when the cartridge designation on the barrel read 32 Winchester CTG. In about 1914, it was changed to 32 W.C.F. CTG. It was not until about 1922 that the company started putting 32-20 CTG on the barrel.
So unless I misunderstood what the OP was saying, this barrel does not belong on this frame.
Now. I looked back and he actually never says what the caliber designation is. He just says the revolver is a .32-20. So here we go: CROGS - please tell us what the barrel legend actually says. If the barrel is correct, it should say 32 Winchester CTG. And the serial number on the barrel flat will match those on the cylinder and the butt. I'd feel a lot better if you would clear this up.
It sure would be nice to see some photos of this gun!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318