CZ 97 B .45 ACP vs HK HK45 .45 ACP

Both are full-size DA/SA .45 ACP pistols holding 10 rounds, both list a 4.5 lb trigger, both ship with two magazines, and their heights are 0.01" apart (5.9" vs 5.91"). The real difference is what the frame is made of. The CZ 97 B .45 ACP has a steel frame and slide and weighs 41.3 oz, 10.1 oz more than the polymer-framed HK HK45 .45 ACP at 31.2 oz. The CZ also carries a 0.19" longer barrel (4.65" vs 4.46"), runs 0.27" longer overall (8.3" vs 8.03") and is 0.14" narrower (1.4" vs 1.54"). The HK has the longer sight radius by 0.29" (6.63" vs 6.34") and interchangeable backstraps. MSRP is $743 for the CZ and $949 for the HK, a $206 difference. Neither is optic-ready.

Pick the CZ 97 B if:

• You want a steel frame and slide and 41.3 oz of mass to settle .45 recoil
• You want the longer barrel at 4.65" and a fiber optic front sight
• The $743 MSRP against $949 matters, and 0.14" less width helps on the belt

Pick the HK HK45 if:

• You want 10.1 oz off the gun — 31.2 oz against 41.3 oz
• You want interchangeable backstraps to size the grip to your hand
• You want the longer 6.63" sight radius and a combined manual safety/decocker

Capacity, action type and trigger weight are tied, so this is steel against polymer: 10.1 oz and $206 saved with the CZ, or a lighter gun with an adjustable grip and 0.29" more sight radius from the HK.