Abstract: A magazine release assembly for use with a pistol is disclosed. The magazine release assembly has a pin configured to be positioned through an end of a pistol trigger guard. There is a magazine release arm pivotally mounted to the pin. A magazine catch is also pivotally mounted to the pin. The magazine catch is configured to be positioned between a wall of the pistol handle and a wall of the magazine inserted into the pistol handle cavity in use. The magazine catch has a ledge which engages a notch on the magazine wall when the release arm is pivoted to an engaged position and which pivots away from the notch when the release arm is disengaged. In an embodiment, there are two magazine release arms, making the magazine release assembly ambidextrous.