Tippmann A5 vs US Army Project Salvo…Who Wins?!
Jan 06, 2020
Tippmann A5 vs US Army Project Salvo…Who Wins?!
For the entry-level paint baller looking to get in to the fight with their own equipment, Tippmann offers some great quality products at very affordable prices. Both the Tippmann A-5 and its cousin, the Tippmann U.S. Army Project Salvo markers have the rugged reliability and durability that have made the Tippmann brand famous. Each marker features a cast aluminum body and houses the same, easy to maintain pneumatic blow-back bolt internals that allow for a steady shot with each pull of the trigger. You can rest assured that with either choice, you will be a force to be reckoned with all day long.
Some similarities between the A5 and Project Salvo
For those looking to get that authentic “milsim” feel, both the Tippmann A-5 and the U.S. Army Project Salvo are customizable with a wide range of accessories from sights and scopes to bipods and buttstocks – giving the player that tactical look and feel, not to mention the “intimidation factor” that comes with a marker that looks ready to take on an army!
When you are ready to invest in upgrades for your Tippmann marker, both of these offer an e-grip that will allow for semi-automatic, 3-round burst and fully automatic firing modes. You may also choose to upgrade your gravity fed hopper on the Project Salvo to the Cyclone Feed System (sold separately for $49.99)
Now that we have discussed the similarities between our two markers, let’s dissect the differences.
First and foremost are the costs of the stock models, with the A-5 running at $179 (approximately $30 more than its Project Salvo™ counterpart). The standard A-5 kit will include the marker with an 8.5-inch ported barrel, the cyclone feed system and a hopper, whereas the Project Salvo™ will include the marker with an 11-inch ported barrel, a gravity -fed hopper and a six-point collapsible, foldable buttstock.
Out of the gate, with the stock options, the style points go to the Project Salvo marker for a great military look and feel with no need to spend on esthetic upgrades.
The performance edge however, goes to the Tippmann A-5 for including the Cyclone Feed System – allowing a firing rate of up to 15 balls per second and running at a lean weight of 3.1lbs as opposed to the 3.8lbs of the Project Salvo™ marker. The other benefit to the Cyclone Feed System is its inherent ability to avoid chopping paintballs in the chamber. This is due to the timing of the mechanism that feeds the paintball in to the marker precisely as the bolt is blown back. What this means for Project Salvo players, is that they may want to invest in the ACT (anti chop technology) bolt, or better yet, simply invest in the Cyclone Feed System.
In terms of customization, the Tippmann A-5 is second to none.
The vast number of shrouds, hand guards, rail systems, barrels and buttstocks available ensure that you will end up with a marker that suits your playing style and needs perfectly and will be sure to turn heads at your local field.
In conclusion, both markers will give you proven Tippmann reliability, performance and value. But if you are looking for that tactical, no nonsense look right out of the box with minimal extra cost, the Project Salvo might be the choice for you. However, If you are looking for an edge in performance and you are willing to spend a bit more money and take the time to tinker with your marker in order to get it looking and feeling just the way you want it, then the Tippmann A-5 is your best bet.