The Chinese company Snowpeak Airguns (SPA) is a true champion in the field of budget air rifles. This is proven by the new series of PCP air rifles called Mercury – these airguns are characterized by excellent workmanship, high modularity and, with regard to the functions offered, above all by a purchase price that is second to none.

Air rifle variants
The Mercury model is manufactured in 4 design versions:
- AP900 – 310 mm barrel, aluminium 118cc air cylinder and lower M-LOK rail.
- AP1000 – 500 mm barrel, aluminium 250cc air cylinder and lower M-LOK rail.
- AP900 B – 310 mm barrel, aluminium 350cc bottle and lower Picatinny rail.
- AP1000 B – 500 mm barrel, aluminium 350cc bottle and lower 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 with lead pellets. The entire barrel is covered with a stylish sleeve / shroud with a surface finish imitating carbon fibre, giving the air rifle a much more premium look. The muzzle is finished with a sound moderator; after removing it, you will find a 1/2UNF thread for the 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 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 air rifle achieves a consistent muzzle velocity both with a full cylinder and also just above the regulator setpoint. 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 pressure bottle, depending on the model. You will also find there the port for the Quickfill filling pin for a 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 insert.

Trigger and safety
The trigger mechanism allows you to adjust the trigger pull weight, trigger travel and its overall height and cant. On the left side above the trigger there is a manual AR-15 type safety.
Stock and mounting systems
A major highlight of this model is the folding stock, which you first have to install on the rear Picatinny rail after unpacking the air rifle. Once the stock is mounted, you get a full-size air rifle that can be shortened by 25 cm by folding the stock; in the folded position the stock is held in place by a magnet. The cheek piece is fixed and the buttpad is surprisingly made of rubber instead of plastic.

For mounting a riflescope there is a sufficiently long metal Picatinny rail, and on the sides you will find two more plastic Picatinny rails for mounting a laser, flashlight or other accessories.
Other parts of the air rifle include a rubberised AR-15 style grip, which you can therefore 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 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; there is no wobble and everything holds firmly together. Yes, you will also find plenty of plastic parts – 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.