Air Rifle Snowpeak AP900 Mercury 6.35mm

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

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).

Functions and features

The air rifle is equipped with a rifled barrel designed for shooting lead pellets. The entire barrel is covered with a stylish shroud / shroud with a surface finish imitating carbon fibre, giving the air rifle a much more premium look. The muzzle is fitted with a sound moderator, and once removed, it reveals a 1/2UNF thread for possible installation of another moderator (for the AP900 and AP900 B models 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 loosen it, for example using a thin metal rod.

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

Loading mechanism

The manufacturer went for a proven 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 a pre-indexed magazine (2 pcs included) or the supplied single-shot tray.

Stock and mounting systems

A very interesting feature of this model is the folding stock, which you first have to install onto the rear Picatinny rail after unpacking the air rifle. Once the stock is mounted, you get a full-size 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.

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

Other parts of the air rifle include a rubberised AR-15 type grip, so you can replace it with another one, and the fore-end, depending on the rifle variant, features either M-LOK slots (on the version with standard air cylinder) or a bottom Picatinny rail (on the version with 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 gun, the top rail and the trigger guard are made from a single piece of aluminium, nothing wobbles and everything holds firmly together. Yes, you will also find a lot of plastic here – for example on the fore-end, side Picatinny rails and the entire stock is also plastic. However, thanks to the use of high-quality polymer these parts still feel solid, durable and in no way negatively affect the overall function of the air rifle.

WARNING! The pressure regulator for this calibre is factory set to 150 bar. Shooting below this pressure level may cause damage to the regulator and subsequently also air leaks in the gun. Once the pressure reaches 150 bar, we therefore always recommend refilling the cylinder.