A cassette housing assembly for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a cassette housing adapted to receive a cassette tape and having a locking lever. An X-lever supports vertical movement of the cassette housing with respect to a deck chassis. A locking member fixes the locking lever to retain the cassette housing is in a down position. The locking member is made of substantially the same material as the X-lever, such that abrasion of the locking member and the locking lever is substantially prevented. The locking member may be integrally formed with the X-lever, such as a drawing boss or a burring boss.