If you could have any one

^^^Best plan I've heard.

Ok so I've been leaning towards the much suggested 562 but my BIL suggested the 460. What are the key differences btwn the rancher and pro series?

your bil has my hart. Never have I ran a better saw!

Smokinj- have you used a 562 as well? Would you choose the 460 over the 562 and why (consider the $200 difference immaterial)

I have not but if I was going heavy after a husky it would be a used 372! Buy stihl new and husky used. (words to live by) HITTINSTEEL!

I'm required to receive my chainsaw gift from my BILs sponsor...I'm not sure if they sell used or not. I'm just trying to ensure I'm gifted a great all around saw that will last a long time. If I pick a cheaper saw we will get more Xmas gifts but I don't want to sacrifice longevity or significant performance for that

Ok then for me its no ???????????? 460 it is world renowned and will be replaced by the 461. NOT!

Let's clarify for the OP when we're talking about the Husqvarna 460 Rancher (60.3cc) and when we're referring to the Stihl MS460 (76.5cc)?

Anyhoo, I think things will start to clear up for the OP when she actually visits a couple dealers and actually grasps a few showrwoom saws.

I am talking all husqvarna. 460 rancher vs. 562xp I did find out last night that we are ltd to husqvarna brand. Husband read the spec differences online, but it's hard to understand the value/benefit of the differences.

Dealer is more than an hour away...we hadn't decided if we were actually going there in person. BIL wanted us to order over the phone. We can push the visit if it's necessary to touch the saw.

If you have a Lowes or Tractor Supply hearby, you can handle a Husqvarna 450 and 460 to observe the weight difference between a 50cc and 60cc midgrade (farm/ranch duty) saw.

Ok the 460 we been talking about is a ms 460 stihl. If your looking at husky 562 would be "alot better" than a 460 rancher!

^^^ What he said.

Husq 460 and Stihl 460 aren't in the same league.

Our local ace hardware had both the rancher and the 562. We've decided to get the 562 and will have it in our hands monday. On a side note, I ordered fiskars x27 from amazon today as well. We don't have any type of maul/axe, but decided to try this one...

Both great products. My BIL has a 562 XP and its a very nice saw. Revs super fast and super high!

What size B & C did you go with? 18", 20", etc?

We're going to do a 20". It doesn't look too expensive to change if needed tho?

Oops . . . typo on the 372 . . . I meant the 346 . . . had a brain block.

you would have to pry my cold dead fingers off my ms 362. it is a little heavy for small limbs. but, after using it i would not put my 025 in anything over 8" around.

Punchy, I too run a stihl 362. great saw once I did a muffler mod and let it breath a little, though they really messed up the air cleaner. If I had to do it again, I would have saved up the extra $200 and gone with the 441 auto tune. Same weight, more power, pro level air cleaner! With chain saws, there really is no replacement for displacement.

To answer the OP question, assuming you are looking for a firewood saw, go with the stihl 440/441 or the husky 372xp. If you want a lighter weight saw, stihl 261 or husky 346xp. whatever you do, get a PRO saw, you won't regret the extra $.

What's up with all the c-q c-m r crap on the new stihls

one is a brake on the hand grip and one is for a self adjusting carb, which people really seem to like

We ended up with the husq 562xp and we are picking it up tomorrow. Final price was $600, hopefully considered a good deal(?). MILs budget ended up at $500, but we figured throwing in the last $100 to get a better saw was the right thing to do.

Thanks for everyones input!

Lots of great choices out there and thats a good one!

A real good deal! Retail on that sexy beast is over $700.

At my dealer that model is selling for $720 or so. Wicked good deal.