Air Rifle Snowpeak AP1000 B Mercury 6.35mm

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

Air rifle variants

The Mercury model is manufactured 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 equipped with a rifled barrel designed for shooting with lead pellets. The entire barrel is covered with a stylish sleeve / shroud with a carbon-fibre look finish, giving the rifle a much more premium appearance. The muzzle is fitted with a sound moderator; after removing it, you will find a 1/2UNF thread for possible installation of another 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 significant 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 set point. The remaining pressure is indicated by a simple manometer, which is located either at the end of the standard cylinder, or near the neck of the air bottle, depending on the model. There you will also find the port for the Quickfill filling pin for quick coupling.

Loading mechanism

The manufacturer opted 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-tensioned 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 on the rear Picatinny rail after unpacking the air rifle. Once the stock is mounted, you get a fully-fledged long air rifle that 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 rifle scope, and on the sides you will find two additional plastic Picatinny rails for mounting a laser, flashlight or other accessories.

Other parts of the airgun include a rubberised AR-15 type grip, so you can replace it with another one, and the fore-end, depending on the air rifle variant, features either M-LOK slots (on the version with standard 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 plenty of plastics 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.

WARNING! On this calibre, the pressure regulator is factory set to 160 bar. Shooting below this pressure level can cause damage to the regulator and subsequently also air leaks in the gun. When 160 bar is reached, we therefore recommend always refilling the cylinder.