A universal magazine latching mechanism for a firearm, the mechanism comprising: a frame defining a magazine well configured to releasably receive a magazine; a rear catch lever pivotably mounted proximate to a rear wall of the magazine well about a first pivot axis, the rear catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a first magazine inserted in the magazine well having a rear catch; the rear catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the rear catch lever engages the first magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the rear catch lever disengages the first magazine; characterized by: the rear catch lever having an elongated body including a lower operating portion configured for engagement by a user and an upper latching portion configured to engage and retain the first magazine in the magazine well; a side catch lever pivotably mounted to the frame about a second pivot axis, the side catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a second magazine inserted in the magazine well having a side catch; the side catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the side catch lever engages the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the side catch lever disengages the second magazine; wherein when the rear catch lever is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, the rear catch lever directly engages and moves the side catch lever from the latched position to the unlatched position. a frame defining a magazine well configured to releasably receive a magazine; a rear catch lever pivotably mounted proximate to a rear wall of the magazine well about a first pivot axis, the rear catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a first magazine inserted in the magazine well having a rear catch; the rear catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the rear catch lever engages the first magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the rear catch lever disengages the first magazine; characterized by: the rear catch lever having an elongated body including a lower operating portion configured for engagement by a user and an upper latching portion configured to engage and retain the first magazine in the magazine well; a side catch lever pivotably mounted to the frame about a second pivot axis, the side catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a second magazine inserted in the magazine well having a side catch; the side catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the side catch lever engages the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the side catch lever disengages the second magazine; wherein when the rear catch lever is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, the rear catch lever directly engages and moves the side catch lever from the latched position to the unlatched position. the rear catch lever having an elongated body including a lower operating portion configured for engagement by a user and an upper latching portion configured to engage and retain the first magazine in the magazine well; a side catch lever pivotably mounted to the frame about a second pivot axis, the side catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a second magazine inserted in the magazine well having a side catch; the side catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the side catch lever engages the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the side catch lever disengages the second magazine; wherein when the rear catch lever is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, the rear catch lever directly engages and moves the side catch lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.