Staple Gun Compatibility Guide: How to Match Staplers With the Right Staples (Beginner Guide)

Choosing the wrong staples for your stapler is one of the most common mistakes beginners make. Different staple guns use specific staple series, and mixing the wrong type can cause jams, tool damage, misfires, and poor fastening performance.

This beginner staple compatibility guide explains how to match staplers with the correct staples so you can avoid costly errors and get professional results.

How Staple Gun Compatibility Works

Most professional staple guns follow one simple rule:

The staple gun tool prefix usually matches the staple series prefix.

Examples:

• 71 Series stapler → Uses 71 Series staples

• 80 Series stapler → Uses 80 Series staples

However, there are important exceptions — especially with consumer staplers, Arrow tools, and 1/2 inch crown staple families.

Let’s break it down.

71 Series Staplers (C Series Staples Compatibility)

Common 71 Series Stapler Brands

• Fasco

• Rainco

• Spotnails

• BeA

• Meite

Common Tool Prefix Markings

• 71

• C

• C71

71 Series Staple Compatibility Rule

71 Series staple guns ONLY use 71 Series staples (also called C Series staples).

They DO NOT work with:

• Arrow staples

• 50 Series staples

• 80 Series staples

Beginner Tip

👉 If your tool says 71 or C — only buy 71 Series staples.

Arrow Staple Guns (Consumer Stapler Compatibility)

Arrow staplers are popular for home use but are often confused with professional staple guns.

Common Arrow Stapler Markings

• T

• A11

• Arrow T50

Important Compatibility Difference

Arrow staplers are NOT compatible with professional staple series such as 71, C Series, 50 Series, or 80 Series.

Arrow tools ONLY use Arrow-type staples, including:

Arrow Staple Prefix Examples

• 504

• T

• A11

Beginner Tip

👉 Arrow staple guns use Arrow staples only.
👉 They do not cross-fit with commercial staplers.

50 Series Staplers (1/2 Inch Crown — Commercial Use)

Common 50 Series Stapler Brands

• Duo-Fast

• Fasco

• Spotnails

Tool Prefix Examples

• 50

• 50 Series

Crown Size

• 1/2 inch crown staples

Important Clarification

50 Series commercial staplers are NOT the same as Arrow T50 staplers.

Despite the similar name:

• Arrow T50 = Consumer stapler

• 50 Series = Commercial industrial stapler

Beginner Tip

👉 50 Series staplers use 50 Series staples only (1/2 inch crown).

80 Series Staplers (1/2 Inch Crown — Heavy Wire Staples)

Tool Prefix

• 80

Crown Size

• 1/2 inch crown (same width as 50 Series)

Key Difference Between 50 and 80 Series Staples

Even though both use a 1/2 inch crown:

• 50 Series staples = Medium wire thickness

• 80 Series staples = Thicker heavy-duty wire

They are NOT interchangeable.

Beginner Tip

👉 80 Series staplers require 80 Series staples only.

Staple Compatibility Cheat Sheet (Quick Reference)

Important Staple Gun Safety Rule

Never choose staples based on crown width alone.
Always match the staple series first.

Using incorrect staples can cause:

• Staple gun jams

• Feeding errors

• Internal tool damage

• Misfires

• Reduced fastening strength

• Warranty problems

Final Buying Tip

Before ordering staples:

1. Check your staple gun model or prefix

2. Match the correct staple series

3. Ignore “similar size” look-alikes

This simple step prevents most compatibility issues.

Need Help Choosing Staples?

If you're unsure which staples your tool uses, contact your supplier or check your tool manual. Correct staple selection ensures longer tool life, stronger fasteners, and better results.