PR900 AIR RIFLES FROM SNOWOPEAK
PR900 AIR RIFLES FROM SNOWPEAK. Finding decent quality air rifles on a budget is always a gamble, simply because the two phrases seldom go together. If you seek hard enough, there is always the potential of discovering a deal. This month, we'll be looking at the Snowpeak PR900 Air Rifles, which are just such a device.
The Snowpeak PR900 is made in both wood and synthetics and is available in both 177 and 22 calibers. The PR900 looks like a CO2 powered airgun from Snowpeak's China facility. The 'thick' lacquer in the wood variant and a range of lightly anodized cast components that can be easily marked with use represent the entry price point of the product, while the overall quality is adequate, if not remarkably good for the price.
The PR900 is ideal for junior shooters or novices who aren't acclimated to the mass of a bigger product, weighing only 2.4kg. It includes with screwdriver adjustable open sights, a baffled suppressor, a no-tools-required single-shot tray converter to replace the plastic magazine, a charging probe that plugs in, and spare seals. The 22 has a 7-shot mag, whereas the.177 has a 9-shot mag. With a throw of the side-bolt, it automatically indexes around, and the initial pellet is inserted backwards.
Surprisingly, you can't divide the gun without using a specific tool to unscrew the underbelly gauge. If we had to guess, we'd say it's to guarantee that the PR900 meets the AMTA's anti-tamper procedure — a voluntary test that the UK's PCP gun manufacturers and wholesalers have agreed to follow to ensure that gun owners do not unintentionally breach the law. However, this poses some potential concerns, particularly in the wood variety, where water or moisture might become trapped beneath the cylinder, causing rust and perhaps jeopardizing its structural integrity.
Finally, with the PR900, Snowpeak has created a fantastic entry-level PCP rifle. While it has a few flaws in terms of overall polish, the rifle is an excellent choice for air gunners on a budget or those looking for a beginner's weapon for their first venture into the sport.