s retaining cut outs 30 a and 30 b as shown in fig7 after the locking tabs 28 are disengaged from the floorplate 39 s retaining cut outs 30 a and 30 b the floorplate 24 is slid in a horizontal or nearly horizontal motion off of the magazine 22 once the floorplate 24 is removed the user can clean the inside the magazine tube 26 to remove debris and other materials which may interfere with the proper operation of the firearm to replace the floorplate 24 after cleaning the user will again slide the tool 10 lengthwise from top to bottom along the magazine 22 and squeeze the arms 18 a and 18 b of the tool 10 applying pressure to the magazine 39 s side walls 32 thereby allowing user to slide the floorplate 24 and corresponding retaining cut outs 30 a and 30 b over the locking tabs 28 into a secure position other embodiments of the present invention are possible for example some magazines 22 such as glock u00ae 39 s second and third generation magazines have additional attachment mechanisms attaching the floorplate 24 to the magazine 22 one such mechanism is a retaining pin not shown which must be released before the floorplate 24 may be removed the present invention should be understood to assist the user in removing a floorplate 24 from any magazine 22 including without limitation the second and third generation glock u00ae magazines the current invention has several advantages first the tool 10 minimizes the wear on the magazine 39 s locking tabs 28 and the floorplate 39 s 24.