An optic
fiber connector has a terminus (24) with a front tip (110) that lies at an initial position at which the tip is at least flush with or forward of the surrounding housing front surface (112) and which is moved rearwardly by a
mating terminus (22) so the tips of the termini are halfway between front and rear ends (132, 134) of an alignment sleeve (34). The housing has a
peripheral portion (120) that projects forward of the
ferrule front tips to protect them even though they project forward of the housing front surface. The alignment sleeve has a
short length (A) that is about three times its inside
diameter (C), and a long spring (84) is used to bias the terminus forwardly and maintain a substantially constant forward force on the terminus, the spring having an initial length (B) which is at least 150% of the alignment sleeve length. A plug (96) that holds the alignment sleeve in place, has an internal bore with a rear bore portion (154) that receives the front end of the terminus body (90). A
retainer (100) includes a clip holder (102) with a holder rear portion (172) surrounded by the spring.