Air Rifle Snowpeak AP1000 B Mercury 6.35mm

The Chinese company Snowpeak Airguns (SPA) is a true champion in the field of budget-friendly air rifles. This is proven by the new series of PCP air rifles called Mercury – these airguns are characterised by excellent workmanship, high modularity and, considering the features offered, above all by an unbeatable purchase price.

Air rifle variants

The Mercury model is produced in 4 design versions:

• AP900 – 310 mm barrel, aluminium 118cc air cylinder and bottom M-LOK rail.
• AP1000 – 500 mm barrel, aluminium 250cc air cylinder and bottom M-LOK rail.
• AP900 B – 310 mm barrel, aluminium 350cc bottle and bottom Picatinny rail.
• AP1000 B – 500 mm barrel, aluminium 350cc bottle and bottom Picatinny rail.

Each variant is available in 3 calibres – 4.5 mm (.177), 5.5 mm (.22) and 6.35 mm (.25).

Features and characteristics

The air rifle is fitted with a rifled barrel designed for shooting with lead pellets. The entire barrel is enclosed in a stylish sleeve / shroud with a carbon-fibre-look finish, giving the air rifle a much more premium appearance. The muzzle is finished with a sound moderator, and after removing it you will find a 1/2UNF thread for fitting an alternative moderator (for models AP900 and AP900 B you can install only a moderator with a maximum body diameter of 28 mm. A larger moderator would interfere with the air cylinder).

If the threaded adapter remains on the moderator, you can simply loosen it, for example using a thin metal rod.

A major advantage compared to the competition is the integrated regulator, thanks to which the air rifle achieves consistent muzzle velocity both with a full cylinder and just above the regulator pressure. The remaining pressure is shown by a simple manometer, which, depending on the model, is located either at the end of the standard air cylinder or near the neck of the air bottle. This is also where you will find the port for the Quickfill filling pin for a quick coupler.

Reloading mechanism

The manufacturer went for a tried-and-tested solution and used the popular biathlon-style side lever with smooth operation and a sufficiently large handle even for bigger hands. For shooting you can use either the pre-indexed magazine (2 pcs included) or the supplied single-shot tray.

Stock and mounting systems

A major highlight of this model is the folding stock, which you must first install onto the rear Picatinny rail after unboxing the air rifle. Once the stock is mounted, you get a fully-fledged long air rifle, which can be shortened by 25 cm by folding the stock, and in the folded position the stock is held in place by a magnet. The cheekpiece is fixed and the buttpad is, surprisingly, made of rubber instead of plastic.

For mounting a scope there is a sufficiently long metal Picatinny rail, and on the sides you will find two additional plastic Picatinny rails for fitting a laser, torch or other accessories.

Other parts of the air rifle include a rubberised AR-15 type grip, which you can replace with another one, and the fore-end, depending on the variant of the air rifle, features either M-LOK slots (on the version with a standard air cylinder) or a bottom Picatinny rail (on the version with an air bottle).

Materials and workmanship

Although this is a budget air rifle, it is manufactured to a very high standard. The main body of the rifle, the top rail and the trigger guard are made from a single piece of aluminium, nothing wobbles and everything is firmly held together. Yes, you will also find a lot of plastic here – for example on the fore-end, the side Picatinny rails and the entire stock is also plastic. However, thanks to the use of high-quality polymer, these parts still feel solid and durable and do not negatively affect the overall function of the air rifle in any way.