Stainless Kobra Carry is a gun to buy and keep forever. Period.
I haven't had a 1911 specifically built for me, mine have all been purchased second hand or from family. That being said, I've made a mental note to keep my two Alchemy's forever. I'd like to order a Volkmann here around the turn of the year if I can swing it and that will be my grail gun. A Kobra Carry is on my list, eventually one will be added to the stable.Well stated.
I approach all my 1911 buys as "keep forever".
Semi-customs and production off-the-rack models can all be customized down the road and made into perfect-for-me models.