A syringe for medical use, the syringe having a selectively retractable needle and a multifunctional needle holder and retainer ring assembly including a needle holder with a head section having an inwardly tapering frustoconical section of the fluid pathway and a rearwardly facing annular surface surrounding the rear opening, and an elastomeric retainer ring with a substantially unexpanded collar extending rearwardly beyond the rearwardly facing annular surface to increase needle pushout force, reduce activation force and improve fluid flow through the syringe. Annular projections inside the retainer ring and on the outer surface of the head section of the needle holder are also disclosed.