An overtravel stop for a rotary shaft, including a fixed stop having at least a pair of stop jaws disposed at different radii from the axis of the rotary shaft. A follower member is provided about the rotary shaft and is adapted to rotate with the shaft within a selected travel limit. The follower member is associated with a stop member having at least a pair of stop jaws disposed at the same different radii as the stop jaws of the fixed stop. The follower member is rotationally shiftable with respect to the shaft when the shaft reaches its travel limit. The stop member is axially movable into engagement with the fixed stop when the follower member rotationally shifts relative to the shaft. At least some of the stop jaws have negative rake angles, and a shock absorber is provided behind the fixed stop.