Magazine release apparatus and firearms including such magazine release apparatus are disclosed. An example magazine release apparatus for use with a firearm includes a magazine retaining arm including a longitudinal slot, a first handle to protrude from a first side of the firearm and a second handle to protrude from a second side of the firearm. The second handle includes a rocker arm having a feature to be supported on a receiver of the firearm. The first and second handles are actuatable to move the magazine release apparatus between a magazine retaining position and a magazine releasing position. In the magazine retaining position, the second handle is at least partially supported by the longitudinal slot and the feature extends toward the receiver.