First new new saw in about 10 years - MS500i

[novaman64]

Last new saw I bought was my MS441C MTronic 10+ years ago. Was getting ready to pickup a MS661 when I hopped on the forums and starting reading about the magical 500i. Talked to a few of the local fallers and tree service guys and they all raved about them. Decided to give one a try, scoured the internet for a while and finally got my hands on one.

Decided to go full disco and get the West Coast Saws 3 pt felling dogs and "bark box".

Anyways, decided the break in would be to get rid of a old dead oak that needed to be removed...


This saw is a runner. Have 2 tanks through it, and its a beast. Stock, runs the 28" with a full comp (33RS) the same my broke in muffler modded 441 saw runs a 25" bar. Just threw the bark box on, so havent ran it with that yet, but Im sure between that, and complete break in the 441CM i gonna be up for sale real quick...

 

[SawTrash]

As one who mostly only cuts up fallen trees and branches for firewood and the occasional small tree that's growing in the wrong place I have no need for that awesome piece of machinery, but that doesn't stop me from envy and WANTING one ! ! !

Those dogs are wicked too.

Thanks for sharing, enjoy.

Good to see it has the two nut bar mounting system, I dislike toolless mounting with a passion

 

[Zaedock]

The wood channels I watch on youtOOb love their 500i's. A beast for sure!
Man, those felling dogs are evil. They also take up 3" of bar!

 

[novaman64]

The wood channels I watch on youtOOb love their 500i's. A beast for sure!
Man, those felling dogs are evil. They also take up 3" of bar!

Ya, dogs are def long. Thats why all the west coast guys run such long bars, to make up for the dogs.

 

[Trailsawyer]

The wood channels I watch on youtOOb love their 500i's. A beast for sure!
Man, those felling dogs are evil. They also take up 3" of bar!

Big "West Coast" dogs aren't just for looks..... a big Douglas Fir can have bark that is 6" or more thick. Those dogs will penetrate into the bark and hold, which is something the factory versions are not very good at!

 

[Parkerpusher]

For not buying a new saw for the last ten years, that was jumping in head first! Love it

 

[user 122190]

That 441 looks to be in good shape. Should offset the cost of the 500i nicely.

 

[novaman64]

Big "West Coast" dogs aren't just for looks..... a big Douglas Fir can have bark that is 6" or more thick. Those dogs will penetrate into the bark and hold, which is something the factory versions are not very good at!

Ya, when bucking logs, they can me a bit cumbersome (specially in hardwoods like oak), but in the super thick barked pines they are worth the price of admission.

 

[Backstage]

WTB small sharp east coast dogs. Prefer tool steel so it doesn’t dull on frozen oak.

 

[The Shooters Apprentice]

I got a chance to handle on of those Yesterday for the first time. Had to make the 2 hour drive to Fairbanks and drop on of the dogs off for surgery so had a few hours to burn. Managed to hit all the gun shops and saw shops (which isn’t much). Last shop I went to had one of those 500i’s on hand. I liked it until I saw the price. Think I’ll be sticking with my big bored 372

 

[Huntaholic]

I cant begin to tell you how many new saws I have bought, all Husqvarnas. I can tell you how many new Stihls I have bought, ONE! I picked up a 500i a couple weeks ago after using one for a couple weeks cutting timber. These saws will flat out CUT! Ive probably cut 40k ft with it now and it impresses me more every day. Its wearing a 25" stihl bar and today I had to cut a poplar that was too big for that bar. I broke out a brand new 390xp with a 28" bar to cut that tree. Im almost afraid to put equal bars on those 2 saws and compare them, Im afraid the Stihl will outcut my Husky!

 

[Huntaholic]

I got a chance to handle on of those Yesterday for the first time. Had to make the 2 hour drive to Fairbanks and drop on of the dogs off for surgery so had a few hours to burn. Managed to hit all the gun shops and saw shops (which isn’t much). Last shop I went to had one of those 500i’s on hand. I liked it until I saw the price. Think I’ll be sticking with my big bored 372

Ive got a 75cc 372 and as bad as I hate to say it, the Stihl will outcut it.

 

[Zaedock]

WTB small sharp east coast dogs. Prefer tool steel so it doesn’t dull on frozen oak.

I'd buy a couple of sets!

 

[Zaedock]

I liked it until I saw the price.

*sigh* I could have bought a few of them. Instead, I bought my daughter's wedding dress.....

 

[The Shooters Apprentice]

Ive got a 75cc 372 and as bad as I hate to say it, the Stihl will outcut it.

I have no doubt that it will, however I can’t justify the price with the amount of work I do right now.

 

[lone wolf]

*sigh* I could have bought a few of them. Instead, I bought my daughter's wedding dress.....

Well at least you did the right thing.

 

[The Shooters Apprentice]

Well at least you did the right thing.

Did he though?

 

[lone wolf]

Did he though?

More than likely.

 

[Zaedock]

There is a chance I could sneak a saw into the wedding budget. "Misc" fees....

 

[Parkerpusher]

There is a chance I could sneak a saw into the wedding budget. "Misc" fees....

This!