An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, comprising: a first jaw defining a first jaw longitudinal axis between a first jaw proximal end and a first jaw distal end thereof and comprising a first jaw surface; a second jaw pivotally coupled to said first jaw such that said first jaw and said second jaw are movable relative to each other between a fully open position and closed positions, said second jaw defining a second jaw longitudinal axis between a second jaw proximal end and a second jaw distal end thereof, said second jaw comprising a second jaw face that faces said first jaw surface; and a dynamic clamping assembly comprising first jaw engagement features (4556, 4557) and second jaw engagement features (4558, 4559), wherein said dynamic clamping assembly is axially movable from a starting position wherein said first and second jaws (4610, 4700) are in said fully open position and an ending position adjacent said first jaw distal end and said second jaw distal end; wherein said second jaw further comprises a cam surface arrangement on said second jaw configured for camming engagement with said second jaw engagement features on said dynamic clamping assembly when said dynamic clamping assembly is moved from said starting position toward said ending position; and wherein said second jaw further comprises a second jaw ledge corresponding to each of said second jaw engagement features on said dynamic clamping assembly, each second jaw ledge having a second jaw engagement surface for sliding engagement with the corresponding second jaw engagement feature as said dynamic clamping assembly is driven from said starting position to said ending position; characterized in that initial engagement of said second jaw engagement features with said cam surface arrangement when said dynamic clamping assembly is moved from said starting position toward said ending position causes said second jaw to pivot from its fully open position to an initial closed position wherein said second jaw distal end contacts said first jaw distal end and; said second jaw engagement surface is oriented at an angle with respect to the second jaw face, the angle being measured in the plane that is perpendicular to said second jaw face and contains said second jaw longitudinal axis. a first jaw defining a first jaw longitudinal axis between a first jaw proximal end and a first jaw distal end thereof and comprising a first jaw surface; a second jaw pivotally coupled to said first jaw such that said first jaw and said second jaw are movable relative to each other between a fully open position and closed positions, said second jaw defining a second jaw longitudinal axis between a second jaw proximal end and a second jaw distal end thereof, said second jaw comprising a second jaw face that faces said first jaw surface; and a dynamic clamping assembly comprising first jaw engagement features (4556, 4557) and second jaw engagement features (4558, 4559), wherein said dynamic clamping assembly is axially movable from a starting position wherein said first and second jaws (4610, 4700) are in said fully open position and an ending position adjacent said first jaw distal end and said second jaw distal end; wherein said second jaw further comprises a cam surface arrangement on said second jaw configured for camming engagement with said second jaw engagement features on said dynamic clamping assembly when said dynamic clamping assembly is moved from said starting position toward said ending position; and wherein said second jaw further comprises a second jaw ledge corresponding to each of said second jaw engagement features on said dynamic clamping assembly, each second jaw ledge having a second jaw engagement surface for sliding engagement with the corresponding second jaw engagement feature as said dynamic clamping assembly is driven from said starting position to said ending position; characterized in that initial engagement of said second jaw engagement features with said cam surface arrangement when said dynamic clamping assembly is moved from said starting position toward said ending position causes said second jaw to pivot from its fully open position to an initial closed position wherein said second jaw distal end contacts said first jaw distal end and; said second jaw engagement surface is oriented at an angle with respect to the second jaw face, the angle being measured in the plane that is perpendicular to said second jaw face and contains said second jaw longitudinal axis.