Perhaps intelligent rather than lucky? Why would anyone choose a firearm the has a reputation for fussiness? I don't have a round count, but prolly close to 100,000 rounds in my rimfires. I keep my guns clean and don't shoot known dirty ammo (Remington is the only ammo I had trouble with in 3 different semi-autos, even a Remington rifle!). I think if anyone could count/estimate the bizillions of 22 LR rounds manufactured and fired the failure rate would be so small at to be almost unbelievable. In the 35+ years shooting rimfires I can't remember one failure to fire (even Mexican, European,and the absolute cheapest ammo). Lucky? Nope. Maybe I keep my toys clean and in good working order?