A disposable loading unit (16) for operable attachment to a surgical stapling apparatus. The disposable loading unit (16) may have a carrier (216) that supports a staple cartridge (220) therein, an anvil assembly (20) that is movably coupled to the carrier (216), and an axial drive assembly (212) that is constructed to move in a distal direction from a start position to an end position through the staple cartridge (220) in response to a drive motion imparted to the axial drive assembly (212) from the surgical stapling apparatus. A firing indicator (310) is provided on at least one of the anvil assembly (20) and housing (200) for indicating a position of the axial drive assembly (212) as the axial drive assembly (212) is driven from the start position to the end position.
