An apparatus comprising: (a) an end effector, wherein the end effector is pivotable from a first position to a second position, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw, wherein the end effector comprises a plurality of teeth on a proximal portion of the end effector; (b) a closure tube translatable from a proximal position to a distal position, such that translation of the closure tube causes the first jaw to pivot relative to the second jaw; (c) an articulation joint adapted to be coupled with the end effector, wherein the articulation joint is operable to pivot the end effector from the first position to the second position, and the articulation joint comprises: (i) a locking bar adapted to be coupled with the plurality of teeth of the end effector, and (ii) at least one resilient member adapted to be coupled with the locking bar: said apparatus being characterized in that it further comprises (d) a locking feature adapted to be coupled with the articulation joint, wherein the locking feature is movable from a proximal position to a distal position, wherein the locking feature is configured to engage the resilient member in the distal position, coupling said locking bar with said plurality of teeth, to thereby lock the end effector and the articulation joint when the locking feature is in the distal position; and (e) an actuator, adapted to translate said closure tube distally and/or proximally, wherein a feature of the closure tube is engaged with the locking feature such that the actuator is operable to simultaneously pivot the first jaw and translate the locking feature. (a) an end effector, wherein the end effector is pivotable from a first position to a second position, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw, wherein the end effector comprises a plurality of teeth on a proximal portion of the end effector; (b) a closure tube translatable from a proximal position to a distal position, such that translation of the closure tube causes the first jaw to pivot relative to the second jaw; (c) an articulation joint adapted to be coupled with the end effector, wherein the articulation joint is operable to pivot the end effector from the first position to the second position, and the articulation joint comprises: (i) a locking bar adapted to be coupled with the plurality of teeth of the end effector, and (ii) at least one resilient member adapted to be coupled with the locking bar: said apparatus being characterized in that it further comprises (i) a locking bar adapted to be coupled with the plurality of teeth of the end effector, and (ii) at least one resilient member adapted to be coupled with the locking bar: said apparatus being characterized in that it further comprises (d) a locking feature adapted to be coupled with the articulation joint, wherein the locking feature is movable from a proximal position to a distal position, wherein the locking feature is configured to engage the resilient member in the distal position, coupling said locking bar with said plurality of teeth, to thereby lock the end effector and the articulation joint when the locking feature is in the distal position; and (e) an actuator, adapted to translate said closure tube distally and/or proximally, wherein a feature of the closure tube is engaged with the locking feature such that the actuator is operable to simultaneously pivot the first jaw and translate the locking feature.