In my experience problems can be had with any gun if it is not cared for correctly.Or in the case that I will relate to, the tolerances of the mechanismn do not suit the application.
A very wealthy friend purchased a H&H O/U 12guage.
His business associate not to be outdone also purchased one, my friend then purchased a H&H 20 guage for his wife, who shot occassionally.
The two guys shot birds regularly during the season and it was common for them to fire 750-1000 shells a day.Both guns suffered from malfunctions of the lockwork due to the ingress of dirt,carbon,unburnt powder etc., and they had to be regularly stripped and cleaned.This was to prove too much of an inconvenience so both guns were sent packing.The 20 guage performs flawlessly occassionally and the lady loves it and would never sell 'her baby'.
The two 12guage were replaced with Browning 525's and they are faultless for the job they are being used for.
I had a 20bore H&H for coaching for a year and if I didn't clean it meticulously it played up.Replaced with a Beretta 686
Two friends have bespoke guns, one went out three times this year, then visited his gunmaker each time after his outing, on the fourth visit he had ALL his money back.The second friend in the last two years has had 3 stocks and 1 pair of barrels, currently having his gun restocked for the fourth time.
I do have to say that due to the greed factor many vintage SxS are being subjected to abuse from modern 36gram shells (and lots of them) that they were never designed for.
That of course is only my observations and opinion.
Lord de Grey will vouch for Purdey no doubt if you ask him.
Colonel Hawker swears by Manton.
Major Burrard doesn't like Birmingham guns.
