what chain saw to get..................... first time buyer

Yes, there is a lot. I would do some reading. If you are going to be cutting anything of any size and stuck on Stihl, I'd get a 361 at least. See you back here after you've done some learning.

270, MS 260 or MS 290 anyone of those saw will produce! What are you cutting and how big?

361,310,390

My experience regarding saw questions is to listen to SmokinJay. He knows his saws. The other thing that should be suggested is to seriously get some protective gear. Whether you are a newbie or an old hand, things happen fast with a chain saw. I have always used the Stihl protective helmet and this year I added chaps after reading The Gear forum. I thought they would get in the way but they don't. I have also upgraded my workboots to some serious protective boots by Matterhorn.

When (if) my Stihl 028 finally dies, I'm going to buy a Stihl 361 - or actually, i guess it will be a 362 now.

Stihl 880!! Ha! I am first to say it!

I think you will get the most saw for your money with the 290. Strong, durable, affordable. Not the most powerful, fatest, or lightest saw, but I have been nothing but happy with my 029 (older MS290) with 20" bar for all of the 16 years that I have owned it.

Flatbedford said:

Stihl 880!! Ha! I am first to say it!

I think you will get the most saw for your money with the 290. Strong, durable, affordable. Not the most powerful, fatest, or lightest saw, but I have been nothing but happy with my 029 (older MS290) with 20" bar for all of the 16 years that I have owned it.

Click to expand...

I do think the 290 best bang for the buck, but 24in. hardwood I would go just a bit larger.

It all depends on how often you really are dealing with the bigger than 20" stuff.

Flatbedford said:

It all depends on how often you really are dealing with the bigger than 20" stuff.

Click to expand...

You could make it work no dought!

smokinjay said:

361,310,390

Click to expand...

I agree (although he may not find a 361....been replaced by the 362). I'd keep a 20" bar on the saw. By overbucking or cutting most the way through a log and finishing it up from the other side, you can easily handle 24" wood.

HittinSteel said:

smokinjay said:

361,310,390

Click to expand...

I agree (although he may not find a 361....been replaced by the 362). I'd keep a 20" bar on the saw. By overbucking or cutting most the way through a log and finishing it up from the other side, you can easily handle 24" wood.

Click to expand...

around hear I have not seen one yet (362)

smokinjay said:

HittinSteel said:

smokinjay said:

361,310,390

Click to expand...

I agree (although he may not find a 361....been replaced by the 362). I'd keep a 20" bar on the saw. By overbucking or cutting most the way through a log and finishing it up from the other side, you can easily handle 24" wood.

Click to expand...

around hear I have not seen one yet (362)

Click to expand...

really??? all the dealers around here haven't had the 361 for months - I know because I've been planing on buying a 361 for a couple years, so I look at them every time i'm in to get oil or whatever - but it seems like since early this year the 362s are all they have had.

I have an old 028 from about 1980, that just won't die. I've replaced a few parts on it, but nothing yet that I can justify ditching the saw over.

After my experience with this saw, I am thoroughly convinced, that if you pay for a good saw up front, you will be happy you did for years to come.

Also, for the OP - make sure you buy your saw from a good dealer, as they will be invaluable in the future as you have the saw serviced or if you ever need parts or help, etc. I like to do as much of my own repairs as possible, and my dealer/service guy will literally show me exactly what to do. if I get in over my head, I'll turn it over to him. Good luck!

Same in my area, the 361 is gone

I would want a smaller lighter saw for limbing and something bigger (361/20) or a tad bigger for trunks/ felling bigger stuff.
If the F-I-L already has a saw, I'd get something that would work in tandem to what he already has.

Course a all around average sized saw as a back-up is always nice to have, too.

So.

You need 4 saws.
A light limber
2 medium size saws ( the second one is a back-up)
and something bigger for the bigger stuff


Or a (pick one) 260 / 290 / 361(2) if you are not spending someone else's money.

billb3 said:

I would want a smaller lighter saw for limbing and something bigger (361/20) or a tad bigger for trunks/ felling bigger stuff.
If the F-I-L already has a saw, I'd get something that would work in tandem to what he already has.

Course a all around average sized saw as a back-up is always nice to have, too.

So.

You need 4 saws.
A light limber
2 medium size saws ( the second one is a back-up)
and something bigger for the bigger stuff


Or a (pick one) 260 / 290 / 361(2) if you are not spending someone else's money.

Click to expand...

I like your plan 2-460's 1-660 1-880

billb3 said:

I would want a smaller lighter saw for limbing and something bigger (361/20) or a tad bigger for trunks/ felling bigger stuff.
If the F-I-L already has a saw, I'd get something that would work in tandem to what he already has.

Course a all around average sized saw as a back-up is always nice to have, too.

So.

You need 4 saws.
A light limber
2 medium size saws ( the second one is a back-up)
and something bigger for the bigger stuff


Or a (pick one) 260 / 290 / 361(2) if you are not spending someone else's money.

Click to expand...

I'm a first time saw owner - March 2010. I got a used 270 off Ebay for $230 and it has performed flawlessly. If money had not been an issue, then a better setup for me would have been the 361 in tandem with a 210 or 250. To put this in perspective the local dealer's new model prices are:
211: $280
250: $300
290: $360
361: $649

If you can find a good used saw (locally or otherwise) that might be a better option for you. So much depends on your budget.

I think you're in the right range with the saws you mentioned. If your cutting mostly in the 20-24" range should prob go bigger like 310 (311) 390 (391) or 361 (362).
290 = best bang for the buck, strong saw, very reliable, a bit heavy. 260 is lighter, better antivibes, better build quality, less power, better for smaller stuff. 270 is in the middle btwn the 2, but I'd personally go for the 280 over 270 (same weight ,more power).
Happy hunting

abby4000 said:

Thanks for all the replys all

I have been researching and have come up with a choice between the 280,260 or 362. So hard to choose I want something that will do it all. Decisions, decisions......
I will be making my mind up within next few weeks and will post some pics of the new girl.

THank you all very much for your feed back, it is very much appreciated.

Click to expand...

with that statement and the saw's your looking at thats the 362 is the most round saw of those choices.......

There's not much you wouldn't be able to do with a 362--it's strong enough to fell and buck big stuff and light enough to trim and limb all day. I've got a 361 and it can 'do it all.'

S

smokinjay said it that ms390 i have cuts great through that range of wood. most popular is the 290 though. good all around saw