Dr Shirshet is a much-respected name in the sporting world of pistol shooting -- both among officials and players.

His new invention -- a pneumatic pistol -- contains no springs and thus there is no recoil. Compressed gas is released from the cylinder -- fixed under the barrel -- as the trigger is pressed. The pressure sets free a baton to hit the rear side of the bullet.

``It minimises the chances of deviating from the target. Most of the state shooters are using the new model and are satisfied with the result it gives. In fact, they have improved their records,'' says the 34-year-old doctor.

Dr Shirshet is now working on another model which is expected to hit the market in six months time. The new pistol will be available for Rs 6,000 compared to the Rs 40,000 toRs 50,000 a shooter has to shell out by importing it. The pistol has adjustable trigger and grip which provides more variation to the shooter.

Most of the literature was from roadside and city libraries says Dr Shirshet, who used rifle parts in making his first pistol. It took almost six months to manufacture.

``Jaspal Rana -- India's Commonwealth Gold medalist -- and others Indian top shooters use imported pistols which cost in the Rs 60,000-Rs 1 lakh range.

That kind of money is unthinkable for any middle-class families with a passion for this sport. So I thought of producing a pistol which could be easily affordable,'' says the doctor.

Twelve years after pursuing his passion with great dedication, Dr Shirshet gained a semblance of international recognition. One of his creations which he sent to a company in United States came in for praise. The company promptly ordered 200 pistols.

But Dr Shirshet could not oblige. ``What I had made was hand-made. I don't have the mechanism and raw material formass production and thus cannot take the order. I have sought help... Let us see what happens.''

Like most respectable middle-class families, the Shirshet family had misgivings about the doctor's passion for guns. ``They felt I may have befriended anti-social elements,'' Dr Shirshet laughed.

Dr Shirshet did his schooling at St Xavier's and after school hours used to visit an arms shop (Tahir Arms) located near his alma mater. Even the shopkeepers quizzed him why he was spending hours at their place. ``I told them I needed pellets and was looking at fresh stock,'' says the man.Following opposition in the family Shirshet stayed away from guns for five years to pursue a degree in medicine. Once the doctorate was in hand, he lost no time in getting back to his passion.

It was at his friend's gymnasium that he perfected the art and science of manufacturing pistols.

``Like any other middle-class kid, I believed that a hero always comes with a pistol not a rifle,'' says the doctor. The day he earned hisfirst salary as a doctor, he went to the World Trade Centre where IHP had a showroom and brought a .22 pistol. Even the way he began shooting was unusual. He made his debut in 1991 at the All-India GV Mavlankar tournament. His score of 327 out of 400 in the open sight category won him medal. ``I am content with what I am doing today,'' says Dr Shirshet, the official armourer of the Maharashtra Rifle Association.