An over-the-scope stent introducer for use with an elongate flexible gastrointestinal endoscope having a proximal section and a distal insert and distal end (11") for introduction through a body orifice and having a length sufficient to reach the gastrointestinal tract, the introducer comprising: an inner member having a distal first end portion, a proximal second end portion, an opening (28, 128) form at the first end portion and an opening form at the second end portion and defining a channel therebetween configured to slidably receive an endoscope insert and comprising an inner endoscope insert engaging surface, an outer surface disposed circumferentially about the inner member, a distal stent abutting restraint positioned at the distal first end portion of the inner member, the distal stent abutting restraint having a thickness at least sufficient to abut and control proximal axial movement of a stent configured to be positioned distal to the inner member such that said stent, prior to deployment, remains distal to the outer surface of the inner member distal first end portion; an outer member having a distal section, a proximal section, a distal opening and a proximal opening defining a passageway between the distal and proximal sections sized to slideably receive a portion of the inner member, the outer member being substantially concentric to the inner member and axially slideable over the inner member portion outer surface, an inner chamber disposed in the passageway of the outer member distal section and being configured to releasably contain a stent; a pulling member disposed at the outer member proximal section and being configured to move the outer member distal section inner chamber over the inner member distal first end portion between a pre-deployment position and a deployment position (174, 176); and a pushing member disposed external to and alongside said endoscope, the pushing member being configured to be pushed to urge the inner member distal first end portion distally as the outer member inner chamber is being pulled proximally over the inner member distal first end portion, wherein the pulling member is disposed at least partially within a pushing member passageway. an inner member having a distal first end portion, a proximal second end portion, an opening (28, 128) form at the first end portion and an opening form at the second end portion and defining a channel therebetween configured to slidably receive an endoscope insert and comprising an inner endoscope insert engaging surface, an outer surface disposed circumferentially about the inner member, a distal stent abutting restraint positioned at the distal first end portion of the inner member, the distal stent abutting restraint having a thickness at least sufficient to abut and control proximal axial movement of a stent configured to be positioned distal to the inner member such that said stent, prior to deployment, remains distal to the outer surface of the inner member distal first end portion; an outer member having a distal section, a proximal section, a distal opening and a proximal opening defining a passageway between the distal and proximal sections sized to slideably receive a portion of the inner member, the outer member being substantially concentric to the inner member and axially slideable over the inner member portion outer surface, an inner chamber disposed in the passageway of the outer member distal section and being configured to releasably contain a stent; a pulling member disposed at the outer member proximal section and being configured to move the outer member distal section inner chamber over the inner member distal first end portion between a pre-deployment position and a deployment position (174, 176); and a pushing member disposed external to and alongside said endoscope, the pushing member being configured to be pushed to urge the inner member distal first end portion distally as the outer member inner chamber is being pulled proximally over the inner member distal first end portion, wherein the pulling member is disposed at least partially within a pushing member passageway.