An enclosed needle catheter insertion device includes a catheter assembly and a need insertion device having a needle guard housing to enclose a needle in a shielded position and a needle support supporting the needle for movement between a ready position, with the tip of the needle exposed, to a shielded position with the needle within the needle guard housing. Movement of the needle support and the needle relative to the needle guard housing is accomplished by manual manipulation of a gripping component external of the needle guard housing. A separate, proximal end cap external of the needle guard housing encloses a proximal portion of the needle guard housing, and is affixed to the needle support.
