Circular stapler mechanical lockout

A surgical stapling device (10) for joining tissue portions, comprising: a handle assembly (12); an elongated body (100) extending from the handle assembly; a cartridge assembly (102) supported at a distal end of the elongate body, the cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge (120) containing a plurality of surgical staples in an annular arrangement; an anvil assembly (140) at a distal end of the surgical stapling device, the anvil assembly is translatable relative to the cartridge assembly between a spaced position, where the anvil assembly is spaced from the cartridge assembly, and a position approximate, wherein the anvil assembly is in close cooperative alignment with the cartridge assembly to hold tissue disposed therebetween; and characterized by a locking sleeve (200) slidably supported on the cartridge assembly and translatable with respect to the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly between a first position and a second position, the locking sleeve configured to engage the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly when the locking sleeve is in the second position to inhibit translation of the anvil assembly relative to the cartridge assembly from the spaced position to the approximate position.