Interesting that you would mention the Sterling .22. If I had to name the worst gun I ever owned it would probably be the Sterling. I bought one after reading an article in one of the gun magazines praising it to high heaven.
Also the fact that I had owned an Italian made .22 auto which the Sterling was a knock-off also influenced me. That little Bernardelli was a jewel.
My Sterling never fired more than one shot at a time. That is right, it had a 100% malfunction rate.
**That is right, it had a 100% malfunction rate.**
Same for mine. Even sent it back to the company and they did not fix it.
Load a magazine, place it in the pistol, pull back the slide, let go and an instant jam every time.