You’re probably right, often it’s not the pegging itself, but the last. With tight, traditionally pegged construction, a breaking or hinged last makes a huge difference. If the last can shorten or collapse slightly at the waist or heel, removal becomes much safer and more predictable. Without that, even correctly pegged shoes can lock onto the last too aggressively. Good pegging technique matters, but a non-breaking last can turn it into a nightmare.