A surgical fastener applying apparatus (10) including a cartridge supporting section (200), an anvil supporting section (100) having a longitudinal axis and including a distal anvil portion (104) and a proximal handle portion (102), including a first longitudinally extending slot (109) extending therealong. A clamping lever (300) having a proximal portion and a distal portion is movable from an undamped position to a clamped position to releasably secure the anvil supporting section in close approximation with the cartridge supporting section. A firing assembly (500) includes a firing knob (552), the firing knob movable within the longitudinally extending slot from a first proximal position to a second distal position to fire fasteners (402) supported in the cartridge supporting section.