An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder; an anvil movably connected to the staple holder; staple forming pockets defined in a surface of the anvil; and a staple trap movable within the anvil relative to the staple forming pockets. Another exemplary surgical stapler for may include a feeder belt; staples frangibly affixed to said feeder belt; an anvil against which the staples are bent in a controlled manner by engagement with staple forming pockets defined in that anvil; and at least one finger that presses a corresponding staple within a corresponding staple forming pocket laterally with a force sufficient to hold the staple in the staple forming pocket where said staple does not engage tissue after that staple is bent.