Abstract: A pistol safety catch and release mechanism is disclosed herein for selectively restraining a firing pin in its inoperative position until released by a lever and linkage mechanism operatively mounted in the handgrip of the pistol. In one version, a vertical movable sear is moved into and out of a blocking position with respect to the firing pin that is moved between these positions by the pivotal action of a grip lever pivotally carried at one end to the handgrip. An intermediate link includes a slot through which a pin travels carried on the grip lever causing the intermediate link to pivot. An end of the intermediate link fits into a notch on a slide bar so that the slide bar moves back and forth in response to actuation of the grip lever via the intermediate link. The sear moves to its blocking position when on top of the slide bar while in its non-blocking or release position when occupying an end notch in the slide bar.