Abstract: A hand firearm having a firing pin which is pivotable between lower and upper positions has a slide with a notch in a side thereof within which is received the firing pin. A hammer is engageable with the firing pin when in the upper position and means including a trigger are provided for pivoting the hammer into its cocked position. A release lever is pivoted with the hammer and is engageable with the lower end of the slide to move the slide upwardly and thereby to also move the firing pin into its upper position in which position it is engageable by the hammer. The upward movement of the slide is against the force of the spring which urges the slide and firing pin downwardly into the lower position after firing of the firearm.