I have two Para's, and have had a Springfield. I also am always called upon to clean the Springfields of a friend.
One of my Para's is a 1997 vintage, and one is 2004-vintage. The Springers in question are a 1998, the other one newer than that, but I'm not sure of the year.
The newer Springer seems better than the older one, in terms of fit, finish, etc. However, from shooting and stripping them, I feel the Paras are consistently superior, if only by a bit in the case of the newer Springer.
Given the choice between two companies, I'd go Para.
I've rarely heard of complaints against Springfield.
Someone above referred to "Para bashing". I can honestly say I've rarely heard of complaints against Para. The one that I can actually remember, in detail, was about one of the super-short (3" bbl) guns. Maybe Para had some trouble getting the tiny 1911s to unction well.
Mine are a full-size P14-45, and a commander-length "Tac-Four". Love them both!