I will interject here. I have owned 8 or 9 SV's and still do own 3. They have all been nothing shy of sewing machine reliable. Everyone I have sold I have made money on and have regretted selling. I still have 3 older Sti's and while they are also good guns they arent SV. I have had several custom guns by big name gunsmith's and shops that we have all heard of and used. George when he ran EGW did excellent work.That beign said, There are no gunsmiths out there that I would use if I could get a SV in the time frame I needed.
I have read some of the issues others have had with certain parts and I guess I am lucky as I have an IMM gun that has well over 100k thru it and it still has the orignal fire control parts in it. The only thing I have done is clean it and change springs when necessary. My limited gun has never failed me..it is now going on 15 yrs old(it was my first and I just cant sell it).
Are they expensive, yes, are they worth it, yes., SV continues to develope the platform and come up with small enhancements to the gun that others dont even think of.