An endoscopic surgical instrument includes a stationary component, an elongate shaft extending from the stationary component, and an end effector located at the distal end of the shaft. The stationary component includes at least one contact portion adapted to be engaged by the fingers of a user, the instrument also including a movable component including a contact portion adapted to be engaged by the thumb of a user. Longitudinal movement between the contact portions of the movable component and the stationary component cause the movable component to move longitudinally with respect to the stationary component between a first proximal position, a second distal position, and a third position, the third position being distal of the second position by a relatively small distance. The movement of the movable component between the first and second positions causes a corresponding movement of the end effector between corresponding first and second positions.
