A surgical instrument (10) equipped with a coupler arrangement (400, 425) for coupling end effectors (20) to an elongated shaft assembly (116) of the surgical instrument. The end effectors may include a pair of jaws in the form of a carrier (240) supporting a surgical staple cartridge (260) and an anvil (220). The anvil is movable relative to the carrier in opening (OD) and closing (CD) directions. The end effector may include an articulation joint (270) that facilitates pivotal travel of the carrier and anvil as a unit relative to the elongated shaft assembly in the same directions in which the anvil is opened and closed relative to the carrier.
