That contemplative stare is him trying to figure out how to fire the gun, hold the hopper cover open, and load clips into the gun simultaneously with only two hands.
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I think troop regardless of weapons platform get that same stare at one time or another.
Interestingly, the that particular Type 11 has a detail not usually seen – a sort of improvised handguard! It doesn’t seem to be made of wood though (my guess would be canvas or some similar material).