Handgun with improved safety mechanism

A handgun comprising:

• a barrel;
• a firing mechanism including a firing pin and a trigger assembly;
• a slide;
• a frame;
• and
• a safety mechanism configured to selectively restrict actuation of the firing mechanism, wherein the safety mechanism includes a thumb safety mechanism configured to be selectively actuated between a safe configuration and a fire configuration, wherein the thumb safety mechanism includes a thumb safety lever, wherein the thumb safety lever includes a recessed channel, and wherein the thumb safety mechanism includes a thumb safety lever retention mechanism that includes a projecting retention member that is at least partially received within the frame and is biased to extend within the recessed channel.