An end effector (100) usable with a surgical instrument (10) includes a first jaw (20) pivotably coupled to a second jaw (40). The first jaw includes staple forming depressions. A staple cartridge is releasably attachable to a channel of the second jaw. A plurality of staples is disposed in the staple cartridge. A shipping wedge (80) is releasably attached to the staple cartridge. The shipping wedge maintains the staples in their respective retention slots and is usable to separate the staple cartridge from the channel of the second jaw.
