And how right was I !
I was fortunate to have a heart-felt meet Samurai-san last Sunday. Samurai was everything you expect from one. Poised, balanced, immaculate, modest and yet very professional. What does not fail to captivate is the black matte looks and sleek lines. Samurai oozes of the Warrior Code of Bushido. You do not see excess of anything and yet are fully aware of the vast potential that lies coiled within. From the first contact, you become aware of what the Samurai is capable of. Exactly like you would face and feel the modern Japanese business tycoon who imbibes the principles of Bushido and recasts the warrior to accommodate current times.
There were the three of us and all of them, including Brihacharan insisted that I do the honors of shooting first among us; the first among equals. I could hardly qualify among them as an 'equal'. One of us was a senior with varied interests that covered guns and fishing while the other with a gamut of hobbies and skills and varied interests from P.G. Woodehouse through blades. Then there was of course our very own the exalted Man who Has walked Many a Steps - Shri Brihacharan himself. I instantly became aware of immense sense of gratitude that welled up within towards these gents for "pulling" me up to be their equal. Yet no words were spoken for gratitude expressed - that is the commanding presence of the Samurai that washes through your psyche and makes you into one. So there I was - making the First Contact with Samurai 3G.
I hefted the gun in my left hand and realized the balance was about perfect. I noticed about 2-3 inches of wood being added on at the 'break' junction giving it a "cultivated" look. The cocking effort was masculine. The pleasant single and smooth "click" on shutting the breech was almost musical. The feel of the stock through the butt was smooth and magical. The only thing that made me aware that I was caressing the butt of a gun and not a geisha was the tightly carved criss-cross design on the stock 'grips'. Then I took the 'high middle' stance; not far different from what Miyamoto Musashi would have taken; albeit suitably adapted for an AR than a dai-katana. Time paused for to rush head on would be an insult to the Samurai. Every breath mattered; every gesture counted. Through the centuries Musashi voice quoted from the Earth Book of Gorin No Sho, “The spirit to be able to win no matter what the weapon, this is the teaching of my school of Heiho.” Of course "win" was substituted by "shoot" and the meaning of "shoot" was enhanced by "shoot well". And so with due measures followed, I 'let the shot fall'. I could feel the tension uncoil and unleash followed by a 'thawk'. I let go of the breath and 'returned' to the ground reality. I became aware of 3 voices saying "Wow". Eyes focused and noticed a "dot" that appeared on the target that Brihji had affixed about 25' ahead. "Again" - Musashi spoke through me - "Of course came the welcome answer from them all". The same motion followed - as if "the cut was perfected a thousand times". The second dot placed itself almost alongside the first. I exhaled heavily through the mouth and handed the Samurai to his rightful Oyabun. The tension was palpable. The experience exquisite. That was just about what I could take then. I had to make myself worthy of the privilege that was granted to me in expectation. I stepped back bowing humbly to the Samurai and his Sensei-Oyabun who through his own diligence and patience and transformed mere wood and steel into the finest AR I had ever handled.
Brihaji, AK49ji and EssDee1972ji, I make a formal bow and take my seat and await another opportunity to seek out an audience with Samurai-san. In the interim, I shall follow Musashi's instruction - "“One must practice diligently; One must study this well; This should be well thought out; This should be carefully and thoroughly studied and practiced.” Sayonara.
With ONE WORD - OVERWHELMED ! 
