one may not need to "pull through" to prime the 912 but one is supposed to hand turn the engine a number of times to "gurgle" the oil system. At least, by stopping the engine by grounding the mags you can be more sure that the mag switches are working. Maybe a mag test at the time the mixture is pulled for "lean cutting" your lyconentals would be a good idea.
It is possible to hand prop a 912. One of the BMAA officers did this on a Skyranger I believe, it jumped, mauled his arm and came to rest in a hedge.
see
Is it time to fly yet? • View topic - Hand-Starting ΓΆβ
Rans6....