An apparatus, comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft extending from the body, wherein the shaft defines a 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 pair of jaws (514, 516), wherein at least one of the jaws is operable to move relative to the other jaw between an open position and a closed position, (ii) a cartridge configured to hold one or more staples, wherein the cartridge selectively connects with a first jaw of the pair of jaws, (iii) an anvil configured to be contacted by the one or more staples of the cartridge, wherein a second jaw of the pair of jaws comprises the anvil, and (iv) a placement tip that is elastically deformable, wherein the placement tip extends distally from a select one of the pair of jaws, wherein when the end effector is in the open position the placement tip defines a first angle (θ3) with respect to an axis of the select one of the jaws in a direction facing toward the jaw opposite the select one of the pair of jaws, characterized in that when the end effector is in the closed position and in an unloaded state without tissue contacting the end effector, the placement tip is deflected as a result of a contact between the placement tip and the jaw opposite the select one of the pair of jaws and defines a second angle (Θ4) with respect to the axis of the select one of the jaws in a direction facing toward the jaw opposite the select one of the pair of jaws, wherein the second angle differs from the first angle. (a) a body; (b) a shaft extending from the body, wherein the shaft defines a 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 pair of jaws (514, 516), wherein at least one of the jaws is operable to move relative to the other jaw between an open position and a closed position, (ii) a cartridge configured to hold one or more staples, wherein the cartridge selectively connects with a first jaw of the pair of jaws, (iii) an anvil configured to be contacted by the one or more staples of the cartridge, wherein a second jaw of the pair of jaws comprises the anvil, and (iv) a placement tip that is elastically deformable, wherein the placement tip extends distally from a select one of the pair of jaws, wherein when the end effector is in the open position the placement tip defines a first angle (θ3) with respect to an axis of the select one of the jaws in a direction facing toward the jaw opposite the select one of the pair of jaws, (i) a pair of jaws (514, 516), wherein at least one of the jaws is operable to move relative to the other jaw between an open position and a closed position, (ii) a cartridge configured to hold one or more staples, wherein the cartridge selectively connects with a first jaw of the pair of jaws, (iii) an anvil configured to be contacted by the one or more staples of the cartridge, wherein a second jaw of the pair of jaws comprises the anvil, and (iv) a placement tip that is elastically deformable, wherein the placement tip extends distally from a select one of the pair of jaws, wherein when the end effector is in the open position the placement tip defines a first angle (θ3) with respect to an axis of the select one of the jaws in a direction facing toward the jaw opposite the select one of the pair of jaws,