So heres my question...Im looking to purchase a new 1911 but on the fence as to which one to buy. I only want to spend around $1,200, its gotta be a .45 and has to be full sized. Soo Smith & Weson, Kimber, Springfield Armory, Night Hawk Custom, or even Para? If you guys can give me your opinions and any advice id love to hear it. Thanks!
People are pretty polarized with regards to Para and Kimber. There are a lot of people out there who hate them, and there are a lot of people who are quite happy with them. My friend has a pair of kimbers, and loves them. Para does a lot of double stack and double action guns, only a smaller selection of their guns are 1911-pattern.
Nighthawks are awesome, awesome guns. If you find one in serviceable condition for $1200, I'd take it in a heartbeat. That said, they usually run twice that or better.
Between SA and S&W - SA guns are more "classic," I find, and S&W has some additional modern features like the internal safety (schwartz safety? Can't remember the name) and an external extractor. Both make excellent guns, it all depends on what feature set you are looking for.
If you are in Mass, S&W and Para will be your options for a brand new gun. Keep your eye out, decide what features you want (ambi safety, series 80 firing pin block, front slide serrations, flared/extended ejection port, etc etc) and see which guns match that set of features.
Be careful, though. 1911s are like potato chips - bet you can't have just one!