A coupling for liquid and gas applications has a valve cartridge loaded from a front end of the coupling. The valve cartridge includes a valve body, a valve member, and a valve spring. The valve member is within the valve body and the valve spring coaxially surrounds the valve member and is disposed between the valve body and the valve member. An aperture in the valve body allows the valve member to pass through the valve body. A stop ring is disposed between the valve cartridge and the front-end portion to secure the valve cartridge in the valve cavity. The valve cartridge is secured in a valve cavity of the coupling by the stop ring. The valve member includes a valve that is opened when a mating coupling is inserted into the coupling. The valve also operates to shut off the flow when the couplings are disconnected.