An automatic dispensing nozzle of the type for dispensing liquid such as gasoline, or the like, into a container and for automatically shutting off when the container is full. The assembly includes a housing having a fluid inlet and an outlet with the fluid passage extending therebetween and a valve disposed in the passage with a valve actuating stem extending exteriorly of the housing. A handle guard including a downwardly extending guide portion and a forwardly extending guard stem. A handle is pivotally supported at a front end adjacent the connection of the handle guard to the housing and extends to a rear end disposed adjacent the guide portion of the handle guard and engages the valve actuating stem for moving the valve actuating stem upon pivotal movement of the handle. The guide portion of the handle guard includes a forwardly extending rib and the rear end of the handle means is bifurcated to define flanges disposed on either side of the rib. A bore extends into the rear end of the handle between the flanges and a spring is disposed in the bottom of the bore and urges a plunger against the front edge of the rib. The rib includes a plurality of recesses in which the plunger may be frictionally held.