Abstract: Improved decocking mechanism for a semi-automatic firearm has a lever pivotable on one side of the frame of the gun. One end of the lever includes an actuator and the opposite end, has a sector gear meshed with the toothed surface of a pawl rotatable on the hammer pin between a first position and a second position. The pawl is disposed adjacent the hammer and includes a first leg engageable with the sear to pivot the same against sear spring pressure out of engagement with a first notch adapted for holding the hammer in its fully cocked position. The pawl includes a second leg engageable with the drawbar to pivot the same downwardly to prevent its engagement with the sear in response to the trigger pull. The hammer includes a second notch engageable with the sear to hold the hammer in a half-cocked position and a reset pin disposed to engage the first leg and to return the pawl and the decocking lever to their at-rest positions upon forward rotation of the hammer.