I am another one of those dreadful people who has sewn over pins for 50 years.
In that time, I have broken one pin with my needle. No damage to my nice Bernina machine. I admit I just can't keep my seams matched well without them! I prefer to use small pins because I find they distort the fabric less, but I use regular pins when I can't find my special stash of the little pins.
Pam
(edit for spelling)