A surgical instrument comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw; and a first actuator having a cam mechanism configured to engage the first jaw to effectuate movement of the first jaw between an open position, a clamping position, and a closed position; wherein the cam mechanism has a first cam surface, a second cam surface, and a third cam surface; wherein the first jaw comprises a first jaw surface, a second jaw surface, and a third jaw surface, the second jaw surface positioned distal of the first and third jaw surfaces (112, 116), and the first jaw surface positioned proximal of the second and third jaw surfaces (118, 116); and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a pin at one of the first jaw or the second jaw, and an elongated slot at the other one of the first jaw or the second jaw, wherein the pin and elongated slot are configured to allow a pivot axis of the first jaw to translate; wherein the first cam surface is configured to engage the first jaw surface as the first actuator is moved distally from a first position to a second position to effectuate rotation of the first jaw from the open position to the clamping position; and the second cam surface is configured to engage the second jaw surface as the first actuator is moved distally from the second position to a third position to effectuate translation of the first jaw from the clamping position to the closed position; the third cam surface is configured to engage the third jaw surface as the first actuator is moved proximally to effectuate translation of the first jaw from the closed position to the clamping position. a first jaw; a second jaw; and a first actuator having a cam mechanism configured to engage the first jaw to effectuate movement of the first jaw between an open position, a clamping position, and a closed position; wherein the cam mechanism has a first cam surface, a second cam surface, and a third cam surface; wherein the first jaw comprises a first jaw surface, a second jaw surface, and a third jaw surface, the second jaw surface positioned distal of the first and third jaw surfaces (112, 116), and the first jaw surface positioned proximal of the second and third jaw surfaces (118, 116); and wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a pin at one of the first jaw or the second jaw, and an elongated slot at the other one of the first jaw or the second jaw, wherein the pin and elongated slot are configured to allow a pivot axis of the first jaw to translate; wherein the first cam surface is configured to engage the first jaw surface as the first actuator is moved distally from a first position to a second position to effectuate rotation of the first jaw from the open position to the clamping position; and the second cam surface is configured to engage the second jaw surface as the first actuator is moved distally from the second position to a third position to effectuate translation of the first jaw from the clamping position to the closed position; the third cam surface is configured to engage the third jaw surface as the first actuator is moved proximally to effectuate translation of the first jaw from the closed position to the clamping position.