I am going to sell a couple of 20-30 year old saws and buy a new Stihl. Will be dropping a few fir trees every year and cutting up firewood. 18 inch bar. Looking at buying the current MS 362 or 462 saws. Any thoughts on if I should buy the CM (M-tronic) model? CM model has computer chip and perhaps I should avoid that, or is it worthwhile? I need a reliable saw that starts every time, in case a tree drops across the road in a winter storm. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
August 30, 2020, 04:41 PM
sourdough44
My largest saw is an MS-361, 15+ years old, 20” bar. As long as the chain is sharp I can cut some pretty big trees.
Not sure about current offerings. Mine does start every time, don’t over-choke it.
August 30, 2020, 04:48 PM
PHPaul
Have not been hearing good things about Stihl consumer-grade saws. Like everything these days, being cheapened to make a price point.
Everything I see says spend the extra money and get a pro-grade, they're still a good saw.
Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
August 30, 2020, 04:59 PM
HayesGreener
I have four Stihls a ranging from 14-20 years old. We cut up A LOT of windfall trees after hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, and regular maintenance around the ranch. My Stihls all run like a champ and keep on running, but my favorite is the 460. I really don't know anything about the CM models but if it's a Stihl you can count on it. I also use only pre-mixed fuel that comes in the sealed can from Stihl, have not had any carb trouble since I started using it.
CMSGT USAF (Retired) Chief of Police (Retired)
August 30, 2020, 05:18 PM
FishOn
quote:
Originally posted by PHPaul: Have not been hearing good things about Stihl consumer-grade saws. Like everything these days, being cheapened to make a price point.
Everything I see says spend the extra money and get a pro-grade, they're still a good saw.
Thanks. The two I mentioned are pro-grade. I agree about the consumer grade saws and I am avoiding them.
August 30, 2020, 05:19 PM
FishOn
quote:
Originally posted by HayesGreener: I have four Stihls a ranging from 14-20 years old. We cut up A LOT of windfall trees after hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, and regular maintenance around the ranch. My Stihls all run like a champ and keep on running, but my favorite is the 460. I really don't know anything about the CM models but if it's a Stihl you can count on it. I also use only pre-mixed fuel that comes in the sealed can from Stihl, have not had any carb trouble since I started using it.
The 462 is what I was leaning towards. Thanks for the input.
August 30, 2020, 05:24 PM
hrcjon
Stihl 362 and 462 are not consumer saws FWIW>. I own lots of Stihl saws from the 261 to the 661 and use them constantly. I think the 362 is the best all around saw they currently make (the 361 is better, but try and find someone that will sell you one). Its big enough that you can do real work and light enough that its not annoying. For your use there is no way you want a 462. In fact based on what you say I would in fact seriously consider getting a 261. Put an 18" bar on it and a decent (not consumer) chain and its extremely capable and much easier to handle. When I have to hike distances to get to an area I carry two 261's as its a much lighter load than 362's. And I only very occasionally wish I had bought something bigger. If you feed these saws non ethanol fuel they will be good starters.
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
August 30, 2020, 06:54 PM
the_sandman_454
My two saws are a 260 pro and a 460. The 260 has an 18" bar, and I have 25" and 28" bars for the 460.
I've been really happy with both saws, but the 460 would be major overkill for an 18" bar. I use the 260 for limbing all trees and felling smaller trees, and the 460 for felling and bucking decent size trees.
------------- $
August 30, 2020, 06:59 PM
FishOn
Thanks for the great comments. Now I guess I'm leaning towards the 362 and not the 462. This is why I asked the braintrust
August 30, 2020, 07:08 PM
bigdeal
I have a fifteen year old MS-260 saw with an 18" bar that has worked 24/7 during several hurricane seasons. And although Stihl would likely recommend against using it for this, I cut up this entire water oak with it after the last hurricane we had. If memory serves, that sucker was ~22 inches in diameter at the stump.
----------------------------- Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
August 30, 2020, 08:06 PM
chellim1
quote:
Looking at buying the current MS 362 or 462 saws. Any thoughts on if I should buy the CM (M-tronic) model?
I have the MS362. It's a beast. I love it. I used to have a MS 290 which was ok but the pro model is worth the difference.
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown
"The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor
August 30, 2020, 09:28 PM
Micropterus
All I know is that if you can find a model with it, you should get the easy start feature. Just a slight tug and release on the starting cord and it turns the engine over. Greatest feature ever put on a chain saw. I love my Stihl. Not sure what model it is. But it's the easiest chainsaw to start I've ever used.
_____________ "I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
August 30, 2020, 10:55 PM
Sock Eating Golden
Honestly, even the consumer grade is good enough for fairly heavy use. My friend and I have used MS250 saws extensively. They've been nothing but reliable. Certainly lacking in the power to weight area. But reliable and quite powerful.
Nick
"I cannot imagine any condition which would cause a ship to founder. I cannot conceive of any vital disaster happening to this vessel. Modern shipbuilding has gone beyond that." -Capt. Edward Smith
August 31, 2020, 12:53 AM
MGMAN45
MS-310 owner here,been a solid saw.
August 31, 2020, 01:52 AM
wingspar
I have a Stihl 032 with a 20-inch bar that I bought sometime around 1985 and it still starts and runs perfect. It used to see heavy use but it’s just light use these days. Used several different Stihl models at work. Can’t go wrong with a Stihl.
If Guns Cause Crime, Mine Are Defective.... Ted Nugent
August 31, 2020, 02:00 AM
barndg00
As I understand it, Stihl's consumer grade used to be basically professional grade with smaller displacement engines. Now, not the same quality. That said, my 11yo MS 250 with an 18" bar has been a solid investment. A tree fell in our yard 11 years and 1 house ago, and my wife wisely advised me to go buy a good saw. The Stihl came home. I do like the anti-kickback chains/blades, and had to special order a second chain since the local dealer didn't think my desire to not cut off my face or appendages was worth regularly stocking anti-kickback chains. That said, it's been a great chainsaw for around the house/property use. I don't need to drop big trees on my 1 acre of land. I do always use ethanol free fuel and when finished empty the fuel tank and run the carb dry. Takes about 4 pulls to start this way.
August 31, 2020, 03:24 AM
mark_a
quote:
Originally posted by HayesGreener: I have four Stihls a ranging from 14-20 years old. We cut up A LOT of windfall trees after hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, and regular maintenance around the ranch. My Stihls all run like a champ and keep on running, but my favorite is the 460. I really don't know anything about the CM models but if it's a Stihl you can count on it. I also use only pre-mixed fuel that comes in the sealed can from Stihl, have not had any carb trouble since I started using it.
I'm glad that fuel works for you. Around here that stuff is $25 per gallon. I thought about picking up a gallon for long term storage in case my wife needed it while I was out of town. Then I realized her not having access to fuel for the chain saw when I'm not around is a good thing...
$25 per gallon. Whew... Between my saws and string trimmers I'd be on food assistance in about a week...
I have mixed emotions about the M-tronic stuff. I'm a big fan of fuel injection in general and I think if I were a pro I would be fully on board. Since I'm not, I think I prefer the simplicity of a regular carb to get me in and out of the woods...
I run a MS-261 with an 18" bar. My buds give me grief and tell me "real men" run at least a 20" bar. I tell them I'm old and tired and I've dealt with being having less length than "real men" all my life so leave me alone...
August 31, 2020, 05:57 AM
HayesGreener
quote:
Originally posted by mark_a:
quote:
Originally posted by HayesGreener: I have four Stihls a ranging from 14-20 years old. We cut up A LOT of windfall trees after hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, and regular maintenance around the ranch. My Stihls all run like a champ and keep on running, but my favorite is the 460. I really don't know anything about the CM models but if it's a Stihl you can count on it. I also use only pre-mixed fuel that comes in the sealed can from Stihl, have not had any carb trouble since I started using it.
I'm glad that fuel works for you. Around here that stuff is $25 per gallon. I thought about picking up a gallon for long term storage in case my wife needed it while I was out of town. Then I realized her not having access to fuel for the chain saw when I'm not around is a good thing...
$25 per gallon. Whew... Between my saws and string trimmers I'd be on food assistance in about a week...
I have mixed emotions about the M-tronic stuff. I'm a big fan of fuel injection in general and I think if I were a pro I would be fully on board. Since I'm not, I think I prefer the simplicity of a regular carb to get me in and out of the woods...
I run a MS-261 with an 18" bar. My buds give me grief and tell me "real men" run at least a 20" bar. I tell them I'm old and tired and I've dealt with being having less length than "real men" all my life so leave me alone...
I agree that the premix fuel would be cost prohibitive if you use the saw every day. But my saws will sit idle sometimes for months at a time. When I need the saws I need them right now. The cost of a tuneup/carb work every year far exceeds the cost of fuel for my intermittent use.
CMSGT USAF (Retired) Chief of Police (Retired)
August 31, 2020, 06:24 AM
Micropterus
I have an 18" homeowner-grade Stihl, made in Germany, that has seen heavy use on downed oaks, maples, dogwoods, bradford pears and sweet gums, as well as stupes and roots. It has never failed to start and runs like a top. When the 100 foot oak tree behind my house fell on a neighbor's house, I spent the day cutting heavy live White Oak branches and it never skipped a beat. Other people there with chainsaws complemented its easy starting. I love my Stihl.
_____________ "I enter a swamp as a sacred place—a sanctum sanctorum. There is the strength—the marrow of Nature." - Henry David Thoreau
August 31, 2020, 07:28 AM
kramden
I recently bought a Stihl MS251C with the easy start and the "no tools" chain adjuster. Really impressed so far. Had a hard time finding one. And I do mean one. The store I bought it at had exactly one left. Checked many stores and they were sold out of most Stihl chainsaws period. Another thing I noticed is that ALL Stihl dealers sell for the same price MSR. BIG store or local hardware store the prices are all controlled by Stihl.This message has been edited. Last edited by: kramden,
