Air Rifle Snowpeak AP900 B Mercury 4.5mm

The Chinese company Snowpeak Airguns (SPA) is a true specialist in the field of budget-friendly air rifles. This is proven by the new series of PCP air rifles called Mercury – these rifles are characterized by excellent workmanship, high modularity and, considering the functions on offer, 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 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 lead pellets. The entire barrel is covered with a stylish shroud / shroud with a carbon-fibre-look finish, giving the rifle a much more premium appearance. The muzzle is fitted with a sound moderator; once removed, it reveals a 1/2UNF thread for mounting 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 with 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 right above the regulator pressure. The remaining pressure is indicated by a simple manometer, which, depending on the model, is located either at the end of the classic cylinder or near the neck of the pressure bottle. There you will also find the port for the Quickfill fill probe for a quick coupler.

Loading mechanism

The manufacturer played it safe here 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 must first install on the rear Picatinny rail after unboxing the 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.

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

Other parts of the rifle include a rubberised AR-15 type grip, which you can replace 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 lower 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, top rail and 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.

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