A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes an arm section pivotable about a pivoting shaft; a tape guide section provided on the arm section for guiding a magnetic tape; a capstan section for driving the magnetic tape so as to run; and a maintaining section provided on the capstan section. The arm section is pivotable between a first location and a second location. The first location is a location at which the information recording to and/or information reproduction from the magnetic tape is possible. The second location is a location at which the information recording to and/or information reproduction from the magnetic tape is not possible. When the arm section pivots from the second location to the first location, the maintaining section maintains a relative position of the arm section, which is in the first location, to the capstan section.