The gun has a gas-operated delayed-blowback mechanism in which the barrel and receiver also recoiled to help steady the weapon. Despite reports that it can fire in full-automatic mode, the weapon lacks a selector switch to distinguish between single-shot and fully automatic modes. The Type 97 was the heaviest anti-tank rifle of World War II and weighs ready to fire, minus the gun shield, and including the shield and four carrying handles, handily exceeding its design weight of . It uses a seven-round removable box magazine mounted above the receiver. The gun can fire a dozen rounds per minute. It has an overall length of and the removable barrel, including the muzzle brake, was (53-calibers) long.