During the last 25 years I have owned the following small autos:
Browning Baby .25,
German Walther PPK .380,
US Walther PPK .380 stainless (2),
Colt prewar Pocket .380,
Colt Government Model .380 (2),
Colt Government Model .380 Pocketlight (2),
Colt Pocket 9,
Detonics .45 (2) (for BIG pockets),
and probably several others that I can't remember. NONE of those guns could go 200 rds without some kind of malfunction, even with careful cleaning after breakin, and then some remedial gunsmithing.
On the other hand, I've owned at least a half-dozen S&W J-frame snubbies, none of them have EVER failed to fire if I pulled the trigger hard enough.
My carry gun is a Browning HiPower that, like most new HP's, is completely reliable. My pocket gun is currently a S&W 340PD, and you can bet that it will never be an auto.
Your Mileage May Vary, but that's the way it has been for me.
