An apparatus, comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft extending from the body, wherein the shaft defines a first longitudinal axis; and (c) an end effector in communication with the shaft, wherein the end effector is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) a first jaw, (ii) a cartridge configured to hold one or more staples, wherein the cartridge selectively connects with the first jaw and comprises an angled distal face, (iii) a second jaw opposing the first jaw, wherein at least one of the jaws is operable to move relative to the other jaw between an open position and a closed position, said end effector being characterized in that the first jaw has a greater thickness than the second jaw, wherein the first jaw defines a second longitudinal axis, and (iv) in that said end effector further comprises an elastically deformable placement tip attached to and extending perpendicularly and distally from the angled distal face of the cartridge, wherein the placement tip comprises a taper, wherein the placement tip defines a third longitudinal axis that is not parallel with the second longitudinal axis defined by the first jaw from which the placement tip extends, and wherein the third longitudinal axis defined by the placement tip extends in a direction towards the second jaw; wherein the placement tip is configured such that, when the end effector is in a closed and unloaded state, the placement tip contacts a portion of the second jaw, and wherein when the end effector is in a loaded state with tissue between the first and second jaws, the placement tip deflects away from the second jaw. (a) a body; (b) a shaft extending from the body, wherein the shaft defines a first longitudinal axis; and (c) an end effector in communication with the shaft, wherein the end effector is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) a first jaw, (ii) a cartridge configured to hold one or more staples, wherein the cartridge selectively connects with the first jaw and comprises an angled distal face, (iii) a second jaw opposing the first jaw, wherein at least one of the jaws is operable to move relative to the other jaw between an open position and a closed position, said end effector being characterized in that the first jaw has a greater thickness than the second jaw, wherein the first jaw defines a second longitudinal axis, and (iv) in that said end effector further comprises an elastically deformable placement tip attached to and extending perpendicularly and distally from the angled distal face of the cartridge, wherein the placement tip comprises a taper, wherein the placement tip defines a third longitudinal axis that is not parallel with the second longitudinal axis defined by the first jaw from which the placement tip extends, and wherein the third longitudinal axis defined by the placement tip extends in a direction towards the second jaw; wherein the placement tip is configured such that, when the end effector is in a closed and unloaded state, the placement tip contacts a portion of the second jaw, and wherein when the end effector is in a loaded state with tissue between the first and second jaws, the placement tip deflects away from the second jaw. (i) a first jaw, (ii) a cartridge configured to hold one or more staples, wherein the cartridge selectively connects with the first jaw and comprises an angled distal face, (iii) a second jaw opposing the first jaw, wherein at least one of the jaws is operable to move relative to the other jaw between an open position and a closed position, said end effector being characterized in that the first jaw has a greater thickness than the second jaw, wherein the first jaw defines a second longitudinal axis, and (iv) in that said end effector further comprises an elastically deformable placement tip attached to and extending perpendicularly and distally from the angled distal face of the cartridge, wherein the placement tip comprises a taper, wherein the placement tip defines a third longitudinal axis that is not parallel with the second longitudinal axis defined by the first jaw from which the placement tip extends, and wherein the third longitudinal axis defined by the placement tip extends in a direction towards the second jaw; wherein the placement tip is configured such that, when the end effector is in a closed and unloaded state, the placement tip contacts a portion of the second jaw, and wherein when the end effector is in a loaded state with tissue between the first and second jaws, the placement tip deflects away from the second jaw.