Hello everyone! Here is my review of the new Push Propel after playing a couple weekends and doing lots of backyard shooting.
Ergonomics
Apparently these are just rebranded Flowtech R-Mac's (with new grips and case). I saw some videos and pictures and thought the ergos looked really nice. Can confirm after holding and playing with the marker a couple weekends it does indeed feel amazing in the hands. The front grip is a bit stretched out and it's got a nice grippy texture to it. Marker also felt really balanced for me with my JT Triad and 68/4500 tank. I also really like the grips on the handle wrapping around. Getting them off is a bit of pain (have to remove the ASA) but overall, the ergonomics is one of the strong points of the Propel, in my opinion.
Features
The Propel has a nifty bolt out the back system by pulling up, then out on the bolt back. It has an eye-pipe like breech sleeve with built in detents. I know lots of people don't like it due to durability concerns, but I personally love it for keeping broken paint out of the breech. I was breaking some balls with really shitty paint and was able to easily shoot through it. Maintenance on the bolt is pretty straight forward. Remove, disassemble and relube like most other spool valve markers. No complaints from me regarding the bolt system.
Barrel system is a two-piece autococker threaded barrel with a .687 back. Nothing fancy but has been shooting great for me. I do wish they came with a barrel insert system or sold more backs but a .687 is better than some other really overbored barrels I've seen.
The Propel also has an interesting push button on/off system. Push says 550 psi is recommended, and after trying an 800 psi tank I see why. It's extremely hard to engage the ASA with an 800 psi tank. Had to mash down with both thumbs. With my 550 psi tank, had no issues. Not sure how reliability will pan out on these ASAs but they work good for me with the lower psi tank.
The safety switch is one of a kind. Pushing it forwards is the firing mode. In the backwards position, it goes into a "training mode" and you can test the trigger actuation point with little puffs of air. It blocks the valve from fully actuating. Very interesting system and could be super useful in adjusting the trigger. Speaking of the trigger, in it's stock configuration I can fan it and get it shooting very fast. I think with some tinkering on the post travel you can get this thing absolutely ripping.
The feedneck is probably my least favorite thing about the Propel. Doesn't have a lever (I don't know why they didn't include one...) but does have a thumb wheel. So every time you put a hopper on or take it off you have to fiddle with the thumb wheel. Not a fan of this stock feedneck but heard you can swap it out with an inception designs one. Definitely something worth upgrading in my opinion.
Shot Quality/Efficiency
Haven't done any serious efficiency tests on the Propel but was easily able to go 3-4 woodsball matches without airing the tank up. Lone Wolf Paintball did an efficiency test and got 12+ pods on a full 68/4500. Pretty insane for a mechanical marker. Not sure what comes close in the market today for a mech?
The shot reminds me a lot of my Shocker CVO, but with less movement in the bolt system. It definitely seems like the bolts moving faster on the Propel and is very hard to short stroke. This is definitely a good thing. In terms of noise, It's a bit poppy/snappier than my Shocker, but overall shoots good. Using the stock barrel, I've been shooting between 275-280s consistently. Right where I want to be. One weird thing about this gun is I can feel a little air puff through the grip frame. Something with the valve venting air. Doesn't bother me much but may bug other people. Overall, a solid shooter and has become my main mech marker.
Build Quality/Reliability
The overall build quality of the Push Propel is OK, but nothing crazy. I noticed a couple little blemishes on the anno but nothing too major. The gloss-like finish on the anno is nice and I love this purple color. The rubber and aluminum materials of the marker feel nice in the hands. Case the marker comes in is solid. Has slots for the barrels, a nice color manual, and plain black barrel sleeve.
Reliability has been a mixed bag for me thus far. When I first got it, I had a slight leak near the safety switch. I reached out to Push support and was directed to work with Mike Spurlock. He reached out to me via email and was quickly able to diagnose and recommend a fix for the marker. I swapped out the o-ring on the safety cam and the leak has subsided for the time being. His team is supposed to get me another parts kit with more o rings and some extra parts.
Speaking of parts kit, the one that comes with the marker is decent. Comes with most o-rings you'd need along with extra eye pipe and allen keys. Another gripe I have with the marker is the usage of weird o-ring sizes. For example, some 1x3, 1x6, 2x15, etc. type sizes throughout the marker. I'm not sure how easy these o-rings are to obtain. Wish they used the more standard sizing throughout the marker.
Final Thoughts
My thoughts after using the Push Propel are that it's a pretty solid mechanical marker. Price is a little steep at $649, but you are getting aluminum construction, crazy good efficiency, and extremely fast rates of fire with this thing. I heard lots of people griping about Spurlock's markers (From the past) and lack of support but his team has been helpful so far. I really hope they continue to market and support this marker for years to come. I think it's a great option if your looking for something in mech tournaments, or just want an aluminum marker instead of the plastic/composite mech options. It's always good to have competition amongst these companies and I'd really love to see an electro version of this in the future along with some other cool mods or after-market triggers.
Ergonomics
Apparently these are just rebranded Flowtech R-Mac's (with new grips and case). I saw some videos and pictures and thought the ergos looked really nice. Can confirm after holding and playing with the marker a couple weekends it does indeed feel amazing in the hands. The front grip is a bit stretched out and it's got a nice grippy texture to it. Marker also felt really balanced for me with my JT Triad and 68/4500 tank. I also really like the grips on the handle wrapping around. Getting them off is a bit of pain (have to remove the ASA) but overall, the ergonomics is one of the strong points of the Propel, in my opinion.
Features
The Propel has a nifty bolt out the back system by pulling up, then out on the bolt back. It has an eye-pipe like breech sleeve with built in detents. I know lots of people don't like it due to durability concerns, but I personally love it for keeping broken paint out of the breech. I was breaking some balls with really shitty paint and was able to easily shoot through it. Maintenance on the bolt is pretty straight forward. Remove, disassemble and relube like most other spool valve markers. No complaints from me regarding the bolt system.
Barrel system is a two-piece autococker threaded barrel with a .687 back. Nothing fancy but has been shooting great for me. I do wish they came with a barrel insert system or sold more backs but a .687 is better than some other really overbored barrels I've seen.
The Propel also has an interesting push button on/off system. Push says 550 psi is recommended, and after trying an 800 psi tank I see why. It's extremely hard to engage the ASA with an 800 psi tank. Had to mash down with both thumbs. With my 550 psi tank, had no issues. Not sure how reliability will pan out on these ASAs but they work good for me with the lower psi tank.
The safety switch is one of a kind. Pushing it forwards is the firing mode. In the backwards position, it goes into a "training mode" and you can test the trigger actuation point with little puffs of air. It blocks the valve from fully actuating. Very interesting system and could be super useful in adjusting the trigger. Speaking of the trigger, in it's stock configuration I can fan it and get it shooting very fast. I think with some tinkering on the post travel you can get this thing absolutely ripping.
The feedneck is probably my least favorite thing about the Propel. Doesn't have a lever (I don't know why they didn't include one...) but does have a thumb wheel. So every time you put a hopper on or take it off you have to fiddle with the thumb wheel. Not a fan of this stock feedneck but heard you can swap it out with an inception designs one. Definitely something worth upgrading in my opinion.
Shot Quality/Efficiency
Haven't done any serious efficiency tests on the Propel but was easily able to go 3-4 woodsball matches without airing the tank up. Lone Wolf Paintball did an efficiency test and got 12+ pods on a full 68/4500. Pretty insane for a mechanical marker. Not sure what comes close in the market today for a mech?
The shot reminds me a lot of my Shocker CVO, but with less movement in the bolt system. It definitely seems like the bolts moving faster on the Propel and is very hard to short stroke. This is definitely a good thing. In terms of noise, It's a bit poppy/snappier than my Shocker, but overall shoots good. Using the stock barrel, I've been shooting between 275-280s consistently. Right where I want to be. One weird thing about this gun is I can feel a little air puff through the grip frame. Something with the valve venting air. Doesn't bother me much but may bug other people. Overall, a solid shooter and has become my main mech marker.
Build Quality/Reliability
The overall build quality of the Push Propel is OK, but nothing crazy. I noticed a couple little blemishes on the anno but nothing too major. The gloss-like finish on the anno is nice and I love this purple color. The rubber and aluminum materials of the marker feel nice in the hands. Case the marker comes in is solid. Has slots for the barrels, a nice color manual, and plain black barrel sleeve.
Reliability has been a mixed bag for me thus far. When I first got it, I had a slight leak near the safety switch. I reached out to Push support and was directed to work with Mike Spurlock. He reached out to me via email and was quickly able to diagnose and recommend a fix for the marker. I swapped out the o-ring on the safety cam and the leak has subsided for the time being. His team is supposed to get me another parts kit with more o rings and some extra parts.
Speaking of parts kit, the one that comes with the marker is decent. Comes with most o-rings you'd need along with extra eye pipe and allen keys. Another gripe I have with the marker is the usage of weird o-ring sizes. For example, some 1x3, 1x6, 2x15, etc. type sizes throughout the marker. I'm not sure how easy these o-rings are to obtain. Wish they used the more standard sizing throughout the marker.
Final Thoughts
My thoughts after using the Push Propel are that it's a pretty solid mechanical marker. Price is a little steep at $649, but you are getting aluminum construction, crazy good efficiency, and extremely fast rates of fire with this thing. I heard lots of people griping about Spurlock's markers (From the past) and lack of support but his team has been helpful so far. I really hope they continue to market and support this marker for years to come. I think it's a great option if your looking for something in mech tournaments, or just want an aluminum marker instead of the plastic/composite mech options. It's always good to have competition amongst these companies and I'd really love to see an electro version of this in the future along with some other cool mods or after-market triggers.
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