A stent delivery system having a delivery catheter, a stent mounted thereupon and at least one stent retaining sleeve to retain the stent on the catheter prior to stent delivery. At least a portion of the at least one stent retaining sleeve being further characterized as having a plurality through-holes. The through-holes providing the at least one stent retaining sleeve with reduced radial and columnar strength when compared to a sleeve without through-holes.