Validation scenario's with Struts 1.x

Question

I would like to know how many use/used (if you are no more a struts 1.x user) automatic validation in struts 1.x?

I have read about some drawbacks that may apply on per case to case basis. For an interesting discussion on the validation scenario's please have a look here:

http://www.learntechnology.net/content/struts/validate_manually.jsp

In real world, how many use automatic validation in Struts 1.x? I wonder if manual validation would be an over kill if I choose to use it for the entire application. If you use automatic validation, do you put your lists on session? Or do you resort to manual validation for those forms, and use request scope?

I don't like the idea of having collections as property in Action Form.

Any ideas?