Mid-sized Chainsaw Opinion

Mopower

Well-known Member
I've got a couple old worn out cheap saws. They work to trim and do odds and ends. What would tool guys recommend for a mid sized fairly light saw that will run a 20" without much issue? Looking at pricey MS261 or MS362 Stihl. Under 15 pounds. That beats Dad's McCullough.
 
My kids all went together 4 years or so ago and got me a Stihl MS 310 with a 20 inch bar on it. It falls into the farm and ranch category, not the professional series. 59 cc, 20 inch bar is the longest recommended for it. Current model of that saw is the MS 311 I think. 14 lbs without the bar and chain. Does everything I need it to do, I cut some fairly large stuff at times, as I have an outside boiler. It will make it work though in large hardwood. Has never failed to start, and other than keeping the air filter clean, and gas and oil and sharpening, I haven't done a thing to it.
 
Don't know about those specific models but I have used an MS 440 as my only saw since January 2005 and it has been a very good saw. It is in the pro line. We burn about 22 standard cords of firewood per year and cut our own trees for our little sawmill so it gets used pretty hard at times and then not at all for periods of time.
Zach
 
I have a stihl 290 and 460. I end up using the 290 most of the time because I guess Im not man enough to run the 460 all day.......It'll flat wear me out. The 290 seems to be more balanced and with a sharp chain, isn't that much slower.
 
I like my Jonsereds, they seem to start a lot better than Stihls. My oldest one is 35 years old and still going strong, I only use it on larger wood now.
 
Have a MS361 and an 026. Really like both. The 361 would be my choice if I could only have 1, That way you could always go with a bigger bar if you need to.
 
If you want to run 20" in hardwood go with the 362. The 260 runs 16" very well. I have both an 036 and 026. If you were just blocking up big firewood I would say go to a 440/460. I generally run a 16" bar on the 036 and find it works just great. I do occasionally put a 20" on if I need to cut a tree that is 36" plus.
 
I use an older Husqvarna 55 that I've had for around 10 years now. I bought it used, from a pawn shop, for like $120. It's got a 20 inch bar and I've taken down more trees than I can count with it over the years. One of those trees was a oak that was 7 feet in diameter, with more than one limb that I had to hit from both sides to get all the way through. I've worked this saw half to death and it hasn't let me down yet. I've got several buddies that have Sthils. The ones that have the older saws seem to have very few problems with them. On the other hand, the ones with newer saws (the ones with two intake ports, one through the carb and another with just a choke plate) regardless of the model number, seem to have nothing but trouble out of them.
 
Husky, Stihl, Dolmar, Jonsered, Echo, all make good saws. For an all around chore saw something in the 3-3.5 ci/55-65cc class will work fine. I think most saws balance best with a 20" bar, but most of us rarely bury all 20" in firewood or limbing. For that type of stuff I want something bigger, what we used to call a landing saw, of at least 4.0 ci or larger. I'm not a fan of the very light saws in the 1.5- 3.0 ci saws. I have a couple, an 011 for example, and they are just too small to really use IMO.

Dealer support is a big thing if you aren't a wrench and used to searching the internet for parts. These days there is no one "best" brand like there was 20-30 years back.
 
I will buy a Dolmar from Gordie"s in Gregory,MI for my next saw. Gordie has been so helpful with his lawn and garden advice, I could never buy anywhere else. A real nice honest businessman!
 
If Stihl is what you are wanting and your going to run a 20"bar I would go with MS-362 or MS-391. The MS-261 is a nice saw but does the nicest job of cutting with a 16"bar. The MS-362 is a Pro saw made for someone that cuts a lot of wood and the Ms-391 is a home oweners or farmer saw but does a good job but not ment to be used day in and day out. The MS-362 has a little more power, less weight but carries a higher price tag than a MS-391.
 
I bought a Stihl 029 with 20" bar nearly 20 years ago, and it has been a very good saw for my purposes.

The 029/290 is the low priced line. The MS line will get you a bit more power and a bit less weight as well as better vibration isolation for a much higher price.

Dean
 
I bought a Stihl ms 250 with an 18" bar recently and I love the saw. I considered the MS290 but for what I do the lighter 250 is a great choice.

There is really no single right answer to this question. It's all about what you want to spend.
 
I bought a new Echo 20+ years ago, it can set all summer and winter and still start 2nd or 3rd pull.
 
I have a stihl ms360 pro series. Great saw. I think that is now a ms362. Also, I bought a ms660 this year for BIG STUFF. The 360 is a great 20" saw. Will flat cut some wood. Have ran a 24" bar on the 360, it will run it but in full cut on hard wood its all it wants.......now that 660 will run 32" in full cut in hard wood and scream doing it......one hell of a saw.
 

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