With the brawn of a workhorse and the beauty of a show pony, the Homesteader delivers versatility like few other firearms can, effortlessly going from bedside protector to varmint patrolling ranch hand and back again at the end of the day. Don’t let all that work trick you into thinking it’s all business all the time, though, because a trip to the range for some casual plinking will prove that the Homesteader also knows how to have fun. Thoughtful and accessible controls abound, including a bolt hold-open lever that can be pressed from the right or left side of the carbine, a top-mounted thumb safety switch, a centrally located bottom-mounted magazine release toggle, and a bolt charging handle that can be quickly and securely mounted on either side of the bolt.