Air Rifle Snowpeak AP1000 Mercury 6.35mm

The Chinese company Snowpeak Airguns (SPA) is a true expert in the field of budget 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 on offer, above all 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 enclosed in 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 the possible installation of a different moderator (for the 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 with a thin metal rod.

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

Loading mechanism

The manufacturer went for a proven solution and used a 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-tensioned magazine (2 pcs included) or the supplied single-shot adapter.

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 unpacking 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 mounting a laser, flashlight or other accessories.

Other parts of the rifle include a rubberised AR-15 type pistol grip, so you can replace it with another one, and the forend, depending on the rifle variant, features either M-LOK slots (on the version with a standard 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 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 plastic here – for example on the forend, 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 rifle in any way.