A method of moving a stent device into an outer sheath of a stent device delivery system is disclosed. The stent device (4) is crimped into a collapsed configuration onto the loading mandrel (6). The loading mandrel is pushed toward the outer sheath as the engaging surfaces (10) resist relative longitudinal movement between the stent device and the loading mandrel to move the stent device into the outer sheath (16). Upon entering the outer sheath, the stent device expands radially until radially constrained by the outer sheath.
