A treatment instrument for an endoscope, having an insertion section provided with a proximal end and a distal end that is inserted into the body, a treatment section provided at the distal end, and an operation section provided at the proximal end. The treatment section has a pair of forceps members, a distal end cover for supporting a support shaft that supports at least either of the pair of forceps members such that it is openable and closable relative to the other, a distal end holding section fixed to the distal end of the insertion section and supporting the distal end cover such that the distal end cover is relatively movable toward the distal end and proximal end of the insertion section, a distal end engagement member for engaging, when the forceps members are opened in order to hold an object, the distal end cover to the distal end holding section to restrict relative movement of the distal end holding section, and a distal end release member provided at an operation member that opens and closes the forceps members and releasing, when the forceps members are at least in a closed state, the engagement between the distal end cover and the distal end holding member effected by the distal end engagement member.
