Official "Project Salvo" Review Thread

Please feel free in the following thread to post your reviews of Tippmann's Newest marker, the Project Salvo!

Also, don't hesitate to ask questions or make constructive comments concerning the marker!

With that said:

____________________________

My "Out of Box" Review.


She's got some weight to her, that's for sure, but not enough to the point where its awkward or uncomfortable. In fact, its a pretty solid feeling marker, there's nothing about it that feels flimsy or cheap. I will say that when a compressed air tank is added to it without the benefit of a remote line.....it's going to get heavy......fast.

Right off the bat, the rails. Good God the rails. You can mount anything and everything you like to this marker. Rails all over the hand guard, and along the flat-topped receivers, makes this amazingly customizable for those of you into Mil-Sim. Not being a believer in using scopes or electronic sights on paintball markers, I can't help but wonder how awesome a good sight system would look mounted to this. It just.....works.

The stock sights that come with it- easily removed, which makes it so much more great for people looking for aftermarket sighting systems.

The stock.....I cannot say enough good things about this design. There are many instances where a stock is great to have, but on occasion when you're carrying the marker or crawling around, etc. - you'd love to dremmel the damn thing off and toss it into the woods. The folding piece on PS eliminates that concern. Completely adjustable in terms of length, its as comfortable as the stock on the Alpha Black, with the added bonus of it being folding. Plus, when collapsed and folded out of the way, there is no impediment on the trigger use.

Barrel: Its got the same thick barrel design that the Alpha black does, which will make putting any old after market barrel on it tough since it will fit sloppily inside the hand guard/barrel shroud. You could technically use my electrical tape trick on something thinner (PM for details) or just wait and see what Tippmann comes out with for compatible barrel systems, I'd imagine it won't be too long before the options are there.

The handguard/barrel shroud itself: While I give it full props for the aesthetics and the ability to have accessories mounted to it, I am going to detract a few points for comfort. Its got a sort of blocky feel to it when you're holding it. Nothing too serious, but its just enough that I'm sure I'm going to find myself sub-conciously using the magazine (love the short mag setup by the way) as a horizontal grip rather than hang onto the railed barrel shroud.

- Keep in mind, that this can also be remedied by adding an after market foregrip to the bottom rail mounts.

This is about all I can give you until I get a chance to field-test it, but right out of the box, it is the usual "Tippmann Impressive" Sturdy, practical, familiar (since its basically the same design as the 98/Alpha Black with some aesthetic modifications) and not altogether unattractive. I'd bill it as the Alpha Black's "Ugly Little Brother" but there's still something appealing about it to look at.

Look for an update as soon as I get a chance to take it into the field. In the meantime, please feel free to add your own thoughts/comments/Questions.

     My first impression of the Project Salvo Marker is that Tippmann again has another great marker. While this marker is similar to some of Tippmann’s other markers, there are some new, important and player appreciated features. One of my favorite features is the ability to easily attach a sling to the front and rear of the marker. Project Salvo has many picatinny rails which allows players to further upgrade their markers to met their MilSim or specialty needs. Also, the marker’s grip is very comfortable. Another unmentioned but pleasant feature that this marker has, is the ability to see if the gun is cocked, ready to be fired. With a quick glance a player can quickly and easily look at the small exposed area behind the cocking pin and see if the spring is cocked. All too often I have forgotten to have my marker cocked at the start of a game only to find out after I have pulled the trigger and not fired. I then have to scramble to cock the marker while wasting valuable play time and missing shot opportunities while the other players are running around and exposed. For players to have this quick check ability, this may give a player thean edge at the start of each game. The tool kit magazine now fits snuggly into the marker and does not seem as flimsy previous versions. The collapsible and folding stock allows for in game, situation by situation, position adjustment to fill any need. The stock can be fully extended, for longer, well placed shots or with a few quick movements, collapsed and folded for to give the player greater mobility and a smaller profile allowing the player greater speed and the option to squeeze into tight spaces.

      Although this marker has a "Made in China" sticker, my impression of the marker is that it is made with the same quality and toughness Tippmann has built their reputation on. The receivers are made from an all aluminum die cast, still uses the stainless steel gas line (wont rust or break), uses their proven high performance In-line bolt system, and uses the quick release feeder elbow. The quick release feeder elbow is a nice feature which makes cleaning out any paint breaks very quick and easily. With a barrel squeegee, this task can be done on the field and during play.  

   The U.S. Army line of Tippmann markers is a great way for new and not-so new players to get a hold of a cosmetically upgraded marker at a low, great price. I can recall spending a great deal of money upgrading my earlier Tippmann markers to have many of the features that come included with this marker right out of the box, ei… the functional tool kit magazine clip, the picatinny rails, the foldable, collapsible stock, carry handles and many more.

This marker is definitely a great buy for new players and players into MilSim. With all the great features and the proven reliability of Tippmann, go out and buy one to add to your collection.

Edited by God - 13 July 2009 at 6:25pm

I don't have an AB or PS but, as they are based on 98 internals, that is probably normal.  (The 98 series has always had a free-roaming o-ring to act as a buffer between the rear hammer and end cap.  Not having it in place can lead to bad things such as cracked shells or end cap failures.)

Just checked an online schematic; it's shown as part "98-57 buffer o-ring."

I know i probly sound like a noob but where did u order it from? im canadian too and badlands said that they didnt have the Project salvo in stock yet...

Instead of Electrical tape try Heatshrink Tubing used in electronics. You can buy it in various colors, lengths, and widths, and when heated, shrinks up to 50%. You may have to use two or three layers, but there's no sticky residue and easily removed later to leave your barrel in like new condition.

A note for those who care.  Those o-rings do wear out.  It is a good idea to check them out whenever you clean/disassemble your marker.  The one on my first 98 crumbled to pieces and jammed up the sear spring.

All O-rings degrade with time. Specially when you use CO2. You should invest in a small tool box and these will be some of your musts;

Tank O-rings; you'l burn through many of these specially with a tank on gun set up.
Bolt O-rings
Ball Dendant; it's that weird rubber orange piece that holds the ball in your marker.
One of those cool pocket folding Allen key set.
A good Lube or marker oil.

not even 1/10th of what a regular player will end up needing. Besides you don't want to cut your games short because some people are ill prepared and their marker goes down.

Hey guys...first time caller and total noob. Haven't shot paintball since 1985 or so. Have 4 teens who have A5's (modded with Apex and/or flatline's) and had resisted the temptation to get myself one until this past Saturday. Went to local park to get tanks charged and wound up getting the new Project Salvo marker. Got a 32oz tank (metal) and the required stuff to go woodballing with my kids in the back yard.

I bought the Sierra One (Cdn version Salvo) and am pretty impressed.