Thanks krupparms for refining the question for the audience. I thought the OP was pretty explicit that there were two choices. Implicitly, based on the two, there is a significant price constraint and likely a 'want' (the 1911) versus a 'need' (and EDS/HD/SD gun) that low-cost 1911's are not the best to fulfill (my opinion of course but hardly a unique view).
FWIW, I just bought a VE in 9x19. I have a number of mid- and high-priced hammer- and striker-fired guns but I wanted a low-priced gun that was dependable if not refined. The VE meets that criteria by a mile. I would trust my life to it since it based on an even less refined design that has a history of firing when the (terrible) trigger is pulled and rarely needs to be serviced as well. And the VE has come a long way since the Sigma and S&W has been able to trickle down a lot of design and manufacturing knowledge from the M&P line that did not exist when the Sigma was built. Further, you can incrementally improve the VE at modest cost (Apex spring kit, then Apex trigger replacement, M&P take-off sights (cheap) or Trijicon radioactive sights (not cheap), a light or laser if it suits your fancy. And you have a U.S. made Glock with a better trigger (the Apex) without the upfront cost but having the safety of owning a reliable pistol from the onset.
I don't think I could imagine the same route for the low-cost 1911. I just don't think, out of the box, that I would trust my life to it. I don't know how comfortable the OP is with the cocked and locked thing. And I don't think that such a low cost frame/parts design is ripe for turning in to a super dependable 1911.
So, there you go.
B
P.S. I also agree that the OP should go with the 9x19 VE.
P.P.S. I purchased my 9x19 VE for $350.00 out the door (tax, DROS, whatever else). Make that the baseline and there are very few real guns from tier 1 manufacturers that can compete with that price. It's quite remarkable. Again, not an elegant piece out of the box, but a very capable one.
Let me refine my question. If you were on a budget, which of these guns, would you choose for yourself?