Abstract: A manual, front loading, cartridge activated clamp and eject mechanism for a magnetic tape cartridge is disclosed which conforms with ANSI X3.55-1977 Standard for positioning the tape cartridge. The mechanism combines the clamp and eject functions and has two stable states, an ejected and clamped states. In the ejected state, a cartridge may be removed from or inserted into the drive mechanism. The mechanism automatically moves into the clamped state when a cartridge is inserted into the mechanism and manually pushed to approximately 1.5 mm of its final position. An eject button is provided to move the mechanism from the clamped state to the ejected state and to eject the cartridge.