A surgical stapler comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end; an actuation beam (150, 250, 550) longitudinally slidable in the elongate shaft, the actuation beam comprising a first guide (114, 214, 514) and a second guide (116, 216, 516) formed thereon; a jaw assembly (130, 230, 530) disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the jaw assembly (130, 230, 530) comprising: a first jaw (102, 202, 502) defining a first clamping surface (104, 204, 504), a link (112, 212, 512) having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a second jaw (106, 206, 506) defining a second clamping surface (108, 208, 508), the second jaw pivotably coupled to the distal end of the link, characterized in that the first jaw comprises a first guide slot (118, 218, 518) extending longitudinally therein and configured to receive the first guide of the actuation beam in sliding engagement; wherein the link comprises a second guide slot (120, 220, 520) formed therein, the second guide slot comprising an opening segment and a firing transition segment wherein distal movement of the second guide of the actuation beam over the opening segment pivots the link away from the first jaw; and wherein the second jaw comprises a third guide slot (122, 222, 522) extending longitudinally therein; wherein further distal movement of the actuation beam advances the second guide over the firing transition segment of the second guide slot of the link to pivot the second jaw to a position spaced apart from the first jaw a predetermined distance; and wherein further distal movement of the actuation beam causes the second guide to be received in the third guide slot disposed in the second jaw. an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end; an actuation beam (150, 250, 550) longitudinally slidable in the elongate shaft, the actuation beam comprising a first guide (114, 214, 514) and a second guide (116, 216, 516) formed thereon; a jaw assembly (130, 230, 530) disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the jaw assembly (130, 230, 530) comprising: a first jaw (102, 202, 502) defining a first clamping surface (104, 204, 504), a link (112, 212, 512) having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a second jaw (106, 206, 506) defining a second clamping surface (108, 208, 508), the second jaw pivotably coupled to the distal end of the link, characterized in that the first jaw comprises a first guide slot (118, 218, 518) extending longitudinally therein and configured to receive the first guide of the actuation beam in sliding engagement; wherein the link comprises a second guide slot (120, 220, 520) formed therein, the second guide slot comprising an opening segment and a firing transition segment wherein distal movement of the second guide of the actuation beam over the opening segment pivots the link away from the first jaw; and wherein the second jaw comprises a third guide slot (122, 222, 522) extending longitudinally therein; wherein further distal movement of the actuation beam advances the second guide over the firing transition segment of the second guide slot of the link to pivot the second jaw to a position spaced apart from the first jaw a predetermined distance; and wherein further distal movement of the actuation beam causes the second guide to be received in the third guide slot disposed in the second jaw. a first jaw (102, 202, 502) defining a first clamping surface (104, 204, 504), a link (112, 212, 512) having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a second jaw (106, 206, 506) defining a second clamping surface (108, 208, 508), the second jaw pivotably coupled to the distal end of the link, characterized in that the first jaw comprises a first guide slot (118, 218, 518) extending longitudinally therein and configured to receive the first guide of the actuation beam in sliding engagement; wherein the link comprises a second guide slot (120, 220, 520) formed therein, the second guide slot comprising an opening segment and a firing transition segment wherein distal movement of the second guide of the actuation beam over the opening segment pivots the link away from the first jaw; and wherein the second jaw comprises a third guide slot (122, 222, 522) extending longitudinally therein; wherein further distal movement of the actuation beam advances the second guide over the firing transition segment of the second guide slot of the link to pivot the second jaw to a position spaced apart from the first jaw a predetermined distance; and wherein further distal movement of the actuation beam causes the second guide to be received in the third guide slot disposed in the second jaw.