Briggs & Stratton vs. generic OHV engines — does it matter?

Mainstream reviewers treat Briggs & Stratton as a known-quantity baseline with broad parts availability; generic OHV engines from value brands run fine new but reviewers flag carb gumming and harder-to-source parts down the line. For a one-time buy you plan to keep five-plus years, the brand-name engine is the consensus safer bet.