A lancing system can include a device body having a lancing end, a lancing mechanism including a lancing shaft slideably coupled with the lancing end of the body, a main shaft slideably coupled with the body and having an actuating end disposed inside the body, a piston coupled to the main shaft and disposed within the body, a spring coupled to the piston, a release mechanism adapted to selectively couple with the main shaft, and a depth controller removably coupled to the lancing end of the body. A method can include coupling a lance having a needle and a base to the lancing shaft, choosing to use a depth controller having a spacer with a top surface and an opening, engaging a lancing surface with the depth controller, actuating the lancing mechanism, penetrating the lancing surface, and contacting the top surface of the spacer with the base.