A surgical fastener applying apparatus (100) including an anvil half-section (104) having a distal end and a longitudinal axis a cartridge receiving half-section (102) having a distal end and operatively couplable with the anvil half-section such that the distal ends of the half-sections are in juxtaposed relation and a deflection control system (460) operatively engaged with and reinforcing the distal end of the anvil half-section when a force is applied to the distal end of the anvil half-section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
