Reviewed 27 August 2026 · Cash on delivery available · GST invoice
The two best air pistols under ₹10,000 in India are the Camstar Star Leo (₹6,900) and the Camstar Mauser X Matte (₹7,999). Both are Made-in-India .177 spring-piston pistols, licence-exempt under Rule 2(g) of Arms Rules 2016, and need no CO₂ or charging equipment. The Star Leo is the simplest starter — the pistol we hand to first-time buyers. The Mauser X Matte is the step-up: Gen 2 spring internals in a tougher matte finish. Both ship pan-India with GST invoice, 12-month warranty and cash-on-delivery option.
Our two picks · at a glance
Camstar Star Leo
Simplest possible spring-piston pistol. Break the barrel, load one pellet, shoot. Nothing to buy, nothing to charge.
- .177 lead pellet · 480 FPS spring piston
- 970 g weight · manageable one-hand hold
- Licence-exempt under Arms Rules 2016
- Made in India (Camstar, Lucknow)
- 12-month manufacturer warranty
Camstar Mauser X Matte
India's first Gen 2 spring air pistol in a tougher matte finish — Camstar's own best-seller in the sub-₹10k bracket.
- .177 lead pellet · Gen 2 spring internals
- Matte finish · tougher than a gloss coat
- Licence-exempt under Arms Rules 2016
- Made in India (Camstar)
- 12-month manufacturer warranty
Side-by-side spec comparison
| Spec | Camstar Star Leo | Camstar Mauser X Matte |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹6,900 | ₹7,999 |
| Calibre | .177 / 4.5 mm lead pellet | .177 / 4.5 mm lead pellet |
| Power plant | Spring piston (Gen 1) | Spring piston (Gen 2) |
| Approx. muzzle velocity | ~480 FPS | ~500 FPS (Gen 2 boost) |
| Approx. muzzle energy | ~4–6 J (licence-exempt) | ~5–7 J (licence-exempt) |
| Weight | ~970 g | ~1,050 g |
| Finish | Matt black polymer | Full matte finish · scratch-resistant |
| Action | Break-barrel · single-shot cock & shoot | Break-barrel · Gen 2 refined cocking |
| Consumable running cost | Pellets only (₹450 / 300 pellets) | Pellets only (₹450 / 300 pellets) |
| CO₂ needed | No | No |
| Charging equipment needed | No | No |
| Licence needed in India | No — Arms Rules 2016 exempt | No — Arms Rules 2016 exempt |
| Manufacturer warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Star Leo (₹6,900) if this is your first airgun ever, if the budget is tight, or if you want to see if the hobby fits before spending more. It's the pistol I'd hand a friend who just texted "I want to try target shooting at home — where do I start?"
Buy the Mauser X Matte (₹7,999) if you want the Gen 2 refined action, a tougher matte finish that won't wear at holster contact points, or if you're planning to shoot regularly and want a slightly heavier pistol that steadies the hold. Camstar sells more of these than any other single sub-₹10k SKU.
Neither of these is right for you if:
- You want rapid-fire practice — spring pistols reload one pellet at a time. For semi-automatic follow-up shots, jump to the Camstar Star RX Gen 3 (₹25,000), India's only CO₂ semi-auto pellet pistol.
- You want a rifle instead — the cheapest air rifle is the Camstar Star ZXi (₹11,999), spring break-barrel 870 FPS.
- You want a full-metal replica (Beretta 84 FS, M92 A1) — those are imported CO₂ steel-BB pistols in the ₹36,000–₹73,000 bracket. See the imported air pistols guide.
What actually costs money — the honest running-cost breakdown
Spring pistols are the cheapest airguns to own long-term because there's no gas consumable. The only thing you spend on repeatedly is pellets.
- Star Match .177 diabolo pellets — ₹450 for a 300-count tin. Works out to ₹1.50 per shot. A tin lasts most first-year owners 3–6 months of casual practice.
- Pellet trap / target holder — ₹800–₹2,000 one-time (not sold at Nishana; buy locally or on Amazon).
- Eye protection — ₹300–₹800 shooting glasses. Non-negotiable for airgun use.
- Optional cleaning kit — ₹200–₹400 for a bore snake and light oil, once a year of shooting.
Total first-year running cost for a moderate shooter: ~₹2,000–₹3,000 on pellets and consumables, on top of the ₹6,900 or ₹7,999 pistol price.
What to add to your order
- Star Match .177 Diabolo Pellets (₹450 / 300 pellets) — the pellets Camstar recommends for its own pistols. Free-shipping any order.
- A safe 10-metre shooting lane at home — read how to set up a safe 10-metre airgun range.
- The four essential safety rules before you fire the first pellet.
Are these pistols really legal without a licence?
Yes. Both the Star Leo and Mauser X Matte are .177 (4.5 mm) spring-piston pistols with muzzle energy well below the 20 joule threshold set by Rule 2(g) of India's Arms Rules 2016 (read with Section 4 of the Arms Act 1959). That means:
- No individual arms licence required to buy, own or use.
- No state registration under central law. A tiny number of individual police stations (mostly in Delhi and parts of Maharashtra) ask for a voluntary intimation letter as a courtesy — not a legal requirement.
- Buyer must be 18+. Age and residence are verified by Nishana before dispatch.
- Keep the GST invoice with the pistol — this is the paperwork that resolves any question about the joule rating and configuration.
Read the full licence-exempt airguns explainer, sourced against the primary legal text.
How to order · what actually happens
- Add to cart on either product page, or send a WhatsApp to confirm live stock before ordering.
- Checkout — pay online (Razorpay: UPI, cards, netbanking) or choose Cash on Delivery. GST invoice raised automatically.
- Buyer verification — 18+ age check, ID and residence proof. Required before any airgun dispatch.
- Dispatched within 24 hours of KYC clearance. 3–7 working days pan-India via trackable courier in discreet padded packaging.
- Delivery — for CoD orders, payment is collected at your door before the parcel is opened. Sign, inspect, done.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best air pistol under ₹10,000 in India?
The Camstar Star Leo (₹6,900) is the recommended first pick — simplest spring action, no CO₂ or charging kit, and the price leaves budget for pellets and a target trap. The Mauser X Matte (₹7,999) is a step up with Gen 2 spring internals in a matte finish.
What is the cheapest air pistol in India?
The Camstar Star Leo at ₹6,900 is the cheapest air pistol sold at Nishana Airguns.
Do I need a licence for these air pistols?
No — both are .177 spring-piston pistols with muzzle energy well below the 20 J licence-exempt threshold under Arms Rules 2016. Buyer must be 18+ with ID and address verified.
Spring pistol vs CO₂ pistol — which should I buy first?
Buy spring first if you're new to airguns. No consumable gas, no fill hardware, cock the barrel once per shot. Move to CO₂ (like the Star RX Gen 3 at ₹25,000) once you know the hobby fits and you want faster follow-up shots.
How accurate is a ₹7,000 spring air pistol at 10 metres?
With good pellets, group sizes of 25–40 mm at 10 m are realistic with a few weeks of practice. Enough to hit a 10 cm bullseye consistently.
Is cash on delivery available on these pistols?
Yes — cash on delivery is offered pan-India on qualifying orders. Payment is collected by the courier at your door before the parcel is opened. See the airgun cash-on-delivery guide for how CoD works with airgun orders.