A surgical fastener applying apparatus (10) comprising a cartridge section (12) having a cartridge (32) containing a plurality of fasteners (60) and an anvil section (14) having an anvil (20) for receiving the fasteners (60) when advanced from the cartridge (32). The cartridge and anvil sections (12,14) clamp tissue therebetween. A cam member (39) is slidable within the cartridge section (12) to fire the fasteners (60), and is movable from a first position defining a first distance from the anvil (20) to a second position defining a second different distance from the anvil (20). A cam adjusting member (34,35) is operably associated with the cam member (39) and moves the cam member (39) from the first position to the second position in response to a thickness of tissue clamped between the anvil and cartridge sections (14,12).
