The invention relates to a front end for an auto-injector, the front end comprising a syringe with an injection needle and a stopper, further comprising an outer sleeve arranged to be attached to an auto-injector back end comprising a drive means for advancing the syringe and needle in a proximal direction for needle insertion and for advancing the stopper within the syringe for injection, wherein the syringe is slidably arranged within a transfer sleeve which is slidably arranged in the outer sleeve, wherein the transfer sleeve is biased in the proximal direction against the syringe, wherein a locking mechanism is arranged for limiting a proximal extension of the transfer sleeve from the outer sleeve to an initial position in an initial state, wherein the locking mechanism is arranged to allow the transfer sleeve to be extended into a needle safe position covering the advanced needle beyond the initial position after having been translated in the distal direction into a depressed position.
