A stent loading and delivery system, the delivery system comprising an inner elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, an intermediate elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end in sliding relationship to said inner elongate tubular member and an external elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end in sliding relationship to said intermediate elongate tubular member, said intermediate elongate tubular member comprising a stop mechanism at its proximal end, wherein the stop mechanism prevents the external elongate tubular member from being slid past the stop mechanism when the external elongate tubular member is slid in a proximal direction.