Type 2 rifle grenade launcher

The launcher sits over the end of the barrel, held in place with a clamping device.

A special crimped blank cartridge or wooden bullet is used to fire the grenades.

The rear of the grenades is pre-rifled to mate with the rifling in the launcher.

The rifling ensures that the grenade is spun in flight, giving it stability and arming the rotational fuze.

On impact, momentum carries the striker assembly forward, overcoming the resistant force of a creep spring into the detonator.

A Type 2 rifle grenade launcher, with a 30 mm Type 2 grenade (top), and a large 40 mm Type 2 grenade (bottom).