The Ml7 grenade is used in a manner identical with that of the Adapter, Grenade Projection, Ml, however, it offers a unit ready for firing without assembly in the field as is required for the Ml adapter"

WAR DEPARTMENT, INFANTRY FIELD MANUAL § WEAPON AND AMMUNITION TECHNICAL MANUAL, INFANTRY REGIMENT, PARACHUTE, June 1944, Page 43Once the warhead is screwed in, the M17 is fitted onto a grenade launcher adapter, such as the M7 grenade launcher.

A special blank .30-06 cartridge is inserted into the rifle, then fired.

The M17 will not explode if it lands on sand, water or mud; only solid ground will cause it to detonate.

It was the United States' primary anti-personnel rifle grenade during the middle part of World War II.