BTW, when I had my M-26 in 1968, I had no idea that so few were made.

As a collectible, it has merit beyond what I said of its qualities as a "using" gun.

I think the OP needs to buy a copy of Elmer Keith's, Sixguns. It's a good source of data for .45 Auto Rim loads as well as a basic study of handguns, mainly in the USA .

Get the 1961 revised ed. It covers some good guns not yet made when the 1955 edition was published. Reprints have been made over the years and may cost less.