An access device (20) places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle (22) that includes an elongated body (32) and a needle hub (34). The device further includes a dilator (24) disposed on and slideable along the elongated body of the needle and a medical article (26). The medical article is disposed on and slideable along the dilator. A track extends in a proximal direction from the dilator. The needle hub slides along at least a portion of the track between a first position and a second position. The device further includes a locking mechanism operably disposed between the track and the needle hub so as to inhibit further axial movement of the needle in the proximal direction when ibe needle hub is in the second position.