A generally cylindrical hollow stylet (400) for a biopsy device, the stylet having a distal end and a proximal end and comprising: a distal portion (401), and a proximal portion (428) connected to the distal portion, the distal portion having a sample recess (413) forming a sample chamber positioned adjacent the distal end extending axially along a portion of the distal portion, the proximal portion having an outer diameter equal to an outer diameter of the distal portion characterized in that the proximal portion has a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of the distal portion.
