A dual magazine release system for a firearm has a housing attachable to a firearm. The housing includes first and second magazine holders, the first magazine holder positioned to retain a first magazine to feed ammunition to the firearm and the second magazine holder positioned in front of a trigger of the firearm and configured to retain a spare second magazine. A magazine retaining and release system is coupled to the housing and configured to retain the first magazine in the first magazine holder and to retain the second magazine in the second magazine holder and to selectively release the first magazine or the second magazine independently from one another or to substantially simultaneously release the first and second magazines from the first and second magazine holders, respectively, upon actuation of the magazine retaining and release system by a user.