Abstract: An electrically powered handheld dispensing device used to dispense viscous materials from a cartridge in a drip-free manner. The dispensing device having a cartridge locking mechanism that affirmatively locks a material cartridge in place, limiting its axial motion in the cartridge holder. The dispensing device having a plunger assembly containing dogs that bite into the inner surface of the material cartridge piston after a plunger makes contact with the material cartridge piston. The dispensing device having a motor control circuit that automatically reverses the drive motor at high speed to reverse the piston inside the material cartridge to a predetermined distance when the user releases the trigger control, which may also suck material back from the cartridge nozzle tip preventing drips.