Abstract: A quick-action bar clamp comprises a body, a slide bar, clamp mechanism, a drive assembly and a pawl assembly. The slide bar has a series of teeth along one edge and is movably mounted in the body. The clamp mechanism includes a stationary jaw mounted on the body and a movable jaw opposing the stationary jaw connected to one end of the slide bar. The drive assembly includes a trigger, a drive lever and a spring. A push pin mounted in the trigger presses the drive lever and moves the slide bar when the trigger is squeezed. The pawl assembly includes a pawl, a release tab, a biasing element and a plastic tag. The pawl engages the teeth on the slide bar to positively hold the slide bar in position when the trigger is released.