An applicator instrument (1600) for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing (1606) and a curved shaft (1616). Surgical fasteners are disposed within the curved shaft for being dispensed from the distal end of the curved shaft. An advancer (1466) is disposed inside the curved shaft for shifting the surgical fasteners one position closer to the distal end of the curved shaft each time the advancer moves distally. A firing element (1474) is disposed inside the curved shaft and is movable between the proximal and distal ends of the curved shaft for dispensing the surgical fasteners from the distal end of the curved shaft. A staging assembly (1521) is adapted to receive a leading one of the surgical fasteners from the advancer as the advancer moves distally to shift the leading surgical fastener into substantial alignment with the firing element when the advancer moves proximally.