Abstract: A pistol grip-type of bow string release is provided including nose and heel ends and adapted to be encircled intermediate the ends by an archer's hand. The nose end includes a notch opening endwise outwardly thereof for receiving a bow string therein and the notch opens outward in a direction which substantially coincides with the longitudinal center axis of the associated archer's forearm when the archer's hand is inclined outwardly generally 30.degree. relative to forearm. A bow string retaining and release structure is mounted within the notch for selectively retaining and releasing an associated bow string and an inward and outward shiftable plunger is operatively associated with the bow string retaining and release structure for retaining the retaining and release structure in an active position when the plunger is inwardly shifted and releasing the bow string retaining and release structure for movement to an inactive position thereof upon outward shifting of the plunger.