The Type 2 rifle grenade launcher was an attachment for the Japanese Type 38 and Type 99 rifles that allowed them to fire special hollow charge grenades. It was a version of the German Schiessbecher grenade launcher. Two grenades were produced for the launcher: a 30 mm calibre grenade and a larger 40 mm calibre grenade, both designated Type 2. 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. Both grenades use a largely identical fuze, which makes up the rear part of the grenade. On impact, momentum carries the striker assembly forward, overcoming the resistant force of a creep spring into the detonator.
| 30 mm grenade | 40 mm grenade | ||
| Length | 160mm | 180mm | |
| Length of upper body | 96mm | 107mm | |
| Diameter of upper body | 30mm | 40mm | |
| Length of lower body | 74mm | ||
| Weight | 230g | 370g | |
| Explosive content | 50g | 100g | |
| Explosive type | 50% TNT / 50% RDX | ||
| Armor penetration | 30mm [1] | 50mm | |