_element_type ^ release();  

// msl_auto_handle_release.cpp  
// compile with: /clr  
#include <msclr\auto_handle.h>  
  
using namespace System;  
using namespace msclr;  
  
ref class ClassA {  
   String^ m_s;  
public:  
   ClassA( String^ s ) : m_s( s ) {  
      Console::WriteLine( "ClassA constructor: " + m_s );  
   }  
   ~ClassA() {  
      Console::WriteLine( "ClassA destructor: " + m_s );  
   }  
  
   void PrintHello() {  
      Console::WriteLine( "Hello from {0} A!", m_s );     
   }  
};  
  
int main()  
{  
   ClassA^ a;  
  
   // create a new scope:  
   {  
      auto_handle<ClassA> agc1 = gcnew ClassA( "first" );  
      auto_handle<ClassA> agc2 = gcnew ClassA( "second" );  
      a = agc1.release();  
   }  
   // agc1 and agc2 go out of scope here  
  
   a->PrintHello();  
  
   Console::WriteLine( "done" );  
}  

ClassA constructor: first  
ClassA constructor: second  
ClassA destructor: second  
Hello from first A!  
done