A surgical stapler (10) comprising a handle assembly (12), an elongated body portion (14) extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion (16) disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly (18) and a shell assembly (20). The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The shell assembly includes a pusher (34) movable distally to advance staples from the shell assembly into contact with the anvil assembly. First and second alignment pins (171) operatively associated with the pusher have distal ends positioned distally of the pusher, the alignment pins movable between a first non-engaged position spaced from the anvil assembly and a second position in engagement with the anvil assembly.
