Glock 22

[The-Warden]

Why does it look like there is a chunk missing from the front of the handgaurd on the bottom of the grip?

[swerv512]

funny, i never noticed that- even when i owned one...
that's not the only model with that feature (G17, 18, 22, 24, 31, 34, 35, 37)

[L-2]

Just speculating here:
The front semi-circular cut-out allows better gripping of the magazine should it be a bit stuck.

Also, with the original Glock 17, and subsequent Glock 22, the magazines were not "drop free", aka NFML (meaning, non-full-metal-lined). When these magazines were loaded with ammo, the magazines, by design, would generally stay in the gun when the mag release was pressed, and would need to be grasped & pulled out.

[TonyM]

My 1st gen 23 has it too.

I believe it's to make it easier to grasp the mag and remove it. Back when my 23 was made they didn't have FML mags, so the mags would not drop free and you had to pull them out.

Maybe the 22 left that feature on the frame due to the request of a purchasing agency. ?

ETA: L2 beat me to it. talking on the phone slows the response time.

[biochembruin]

helps when clearing a class 3 malfunction

[Oldnoob]

Glock originally was mean for none drop free mags. The cute off allow you to faster stick a finger in and grab the mag out.

[elSquid]

funny, i never noticed that- even when i owned one...
that's not the only model with that feature (G17, 18, 22, 24, 31, 34, 35, 37)

I used to own a G21 that was purchased ~1995. It had the same cut out.

-- Michael

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

The cutout is useful because sometimes even "drop free" mags... don't.