this isnt my side of the forum, i will admit i am not a big 1911 guy, but i really need some advise.
This is not for me, but for my dad. He is a huge 1911 fan and has wanted one since I was young. Well I'm pretty set on that I am goin to get him one for father's day. I would like some suggestions on a decent 1911. Budget wise I would like to stay in the 750ish range or lower. depending on what you guys suggest i can adjust that up or down. I am starting to look now so I have time to make a wise choice.
key points on what i should look for and what to look out for would be a great help.

Thanks

Kimber, Springfield, Para are all nice guns in your price range.  If you go with a Kimber get one with the internal extractor.  I'm sure your dad would be happy with any of them.

Diamondback

A 45 may not expand but it will never be smaller that .45.

Try to get one with some of the nicer options. You may pay a little more but it will be worth it. By the nice options I mean good sights( tritium night sights are very cool and very functional). A beavertail grip safety is nice. I also like the lowered and flared ejection port as well. When I bought my first 45 like 15 years ago it was kind of hard to find these on a gun out of the box(or maybe I didn't look for them that hard). No GI 45 will have all these. That wouldn't matter so much except the GI styles usually have crappy sights. I got a Springfield Armory Loaded 1911 for around 800 and it's a very nice piece.It has all the above options and a few more as well.Your buying your dad a really nice present that's for sure!!

thanks guys, i will look around and see what i find
yea im at a point where i can afford to get him a gift of this statute.

I generally look for used 70 series Colt or used series 1 Kimbers when I am looking for a newer 1911.

Generally few people shoot these guns to the round count that they can take.