An apparatus for compressing a coiled stent having at least one protrusion, such as an enlarged coil disposed at the end of the stent, has a mandrel insertable into a lumen of the stent for holding the stent by friction and a coil compressor coupled to the mandrel. The mandrel is rotatable on an axis relative to the coil compressor and the coil compressor has a tab extending therefrom towards the mandrel. A stent is placed on the mandrel with the enlarged coil extending toward the coil compressor. The tab presses the enlarged coil inwardly toward the lumen of the stent when the mandrel is rotated relative to the coil compressor.