You are so correct. In all my travels and working on the dak it seems that the prime first method is used far less than the new method of engaging the mixture with mags already on etc.
Personally i dont like this method as its open to hyd lock damage etc.
Throttle 1/2" set.
Forefinger; starter
3 blades tickle prime with mid finger etc through 6 and 9.
Hold down prime, mags on, tinker with throttle and engage mixture whilst releasing the prime. Back onto throttle and away she goes.
This is with a cold engine and prime into carb not cyl heads.
I remember once being stuck down route and the prime solenoid had gone tech. I lay on my belly over the nacelle and on 3,6,9 blades i chucked a small amount of fuel into the intake with a maxpac cup. Not much clearance from the prop and lucky we had the throttle set correct or my eye brows would have been long gone. So many great stories and memories flooding back, I sound like an old man not 33!! Keep um coming.