Type 4 rifle

Type 4 Rifle
Type	Experimental Semi-automatic rifle
Place of origin	Empire of Japan
Service history
Used by	Imperial Japanese Army
Production history
Designed	1944
Manufacturer	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal
Produced	1945
No. built	250
Specifications
Mass	9.13 lb (4.14 kg)
Length	43.25 in (1,099 mm)
Barrel length	590 mm
Cartridge	7.7×58mm Arisaka
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity	2,740 ft/s (840 m/s)
Feed system	10-Round internal box magazine loaded via two 5-round stripper clips
Sights	Iron

The Type 4 Rifle, often referred to as the Type 5 Rifle, (Japanese: 四式自動小銃 Yon-shiki jidousyoujyuu) was a Japanese experimental semi-automatic rifle. It was a copy of the American M1 Garand but with an integral 10-round magazine and chambered for the Japanese 7.7×58mm Arisaka cartridge. Where the Garand used an en-bloc clip, the Type 4's integral magazine was charged with two 5-round stripper clips and the rifle also used Japanese style tangent sights. The Type 4 had been developed alongside several other experimental semi-automatic rifles. However, none of the rifles entered into service before the end of World War II, with only 250 being made and many others were never assembled. There were several problems with jamming and feed systems, which also delayed its testing.

An example of this rifle can be found in the National Firearms Museum, in the World War II section.

References

• The Complete Encyclopedia of Guns. p. 435. ISBN 1-57215-441-1. 
• Walter, John (2006). Rifles of the World (3rd ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 146. ISBN 0-89689-241-7. http://books.google.com/books?id=Eq2Dnj4sDZIC&pg=PA146.