A circular surgical stapling device includes a reload assembly that is supported on a distal end of an elongate shaft of the stapling device. The reload assembly includes a housing, a pusher assembly movably supported within the housing, a knife carrier movably supported within the pusher assembly, and an annular knife supported on the knife carrier. The elongate body includes a pusher drive member and a knife carrier pusher. The knife carrier 30 includes first engagement structure 60 that is configured to releasably engage second engagement structure 80 formed on the knife carrier pusher 70 to releasably couple the knife carrier pusher 70 to the knife carrier 30. A reload insert or member 39 is supported on or integrally formed with the housing 26 of the reload assembly 16. The reload member 39 includes a first portion 94a configured to prevent separation of the first and second engagement structures 60,80 and a second portion 94b configured to accommodate separation of the first and second engagement structures 60,80. The reload member 39 minimizes the likelihood of premature disengagement of the knife carrier 30 from the knife carrier pusher 70 while minimizing the force required to effect separation after the knife 32 has been fully retracted into the housing 26.
