The new model offered a more conventional magazine feed and stock, but wholly retained the Type 1's method of operation and was essentially the same gun in a different body.

The front section of the receiver and barrel shroud would travel forward with the bolt upon firing and be pushed back by the return spring.

The cocking handle was not located in a slotted groove but instead took the form of a protruding tab fixed to the left side of the receiver.

The later wartime models omitted the air buffer feature in an attempt to cut production costs.

[5] Late-war examples of the Type 2 had bayonet fittings, a feature not present on the original production models.