A handle assembly for a surgical stapler can comprise a rotatable actuation shaft. The actuation shaft can have a first rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a repeatable open and close mode, a second rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a staple firing mode, and a third rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a reversing mode. The handle assembly can include a rotational mechanism arranged to discretely position the rotatable actuation shaft in one of the rotational orientations. The rotational mechanism can be arranged for single handed operation such as by including a slidable switch or selector to rotate the actuation shaft.