Need a mid-range saw recommendation

[JAXJEREMY]

Hey guys, Merry Christmas/Happy New Year! Looking for another saw. Right now I have an MS170 and a MS361. Sometime the 170 isn't enough and the 361 is overkill. Been very happy with the Stihls, but I'm open to other recommendations. Anyway, what I want is a mid-range saw, started looking at the 250 and that seems to be in the sweet spot, definitely don't need a pro saw. This will mainly be used to do the occasional cutting on my property up in West Virginia. Would like to stay in the $500 range. Thanks in advance.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Pro saws are going to be the most recommended here. With your budget you’re looking farm ranch grade or an echo pro. You have a 361 so I’d be looking at the 50cc stuff. Echo 501p would be my choice with your budget.

 

[damifino]

First is Echo cs4910 $379 if you can still find one. Next might be Echo cs4920 which is the 4910 replacement, $379.

 

[SteveSr]

An MS250 is a decent 45cc firewood saw. IMHO, much better than the newer MS251 strato-saw. The main complaint is hard to pull over due to compression and smaller starter pulley.

If you do go this route you would be well served to get the saw setup with a 3/8lp (Stihl Picco) bar and chain instead of the 0.325 that comes with it stock. Should be a zero cost swap. While you are at it get the rim sprocket setup.

 

[WoodmanSr]

First is Echo cs4910 $379 if you can still find one. Next might be Echo cs4920 which is the 4910 replacement, $379.

Maybe read over recently similar non-pro interest.

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/small-chainsaw.377545/

Good 50cc discussion before it reverted into a 2-in-1 thread.

Yes, is surprising that some Home Depot sitting on quite a few likely 2023 models, the preferred NLA Echo cs4910. Great buy at $379. Get while you can. HD seems to show 20" model; cs-4910-20-AA (something like sku#)

Edit: store item details
Internet # 318792982
Model # CS-4910-20AA
Store SKU # 1006917904

Also, Google -- "echo stihl 50 cc (site:Arboristsite.com)"

You'll find a dozen or more discussions. I enjoy live comments but prehaps this is helpful research.

 

[JAXJEREMY]

Thanks guys. I'll check out that other thread. @SteveSr pretty much nailed it, I'm basically looking for a firewood saw. Seems like I've got some good options in this price range.

 

[JAXJEREMY]

An MS250 is a decent 45cc firewood saw. IMHO, much better than the newer MS252 strato-saw. The main complaint is hard to pull over due to compression and smaller starter pulley.

If you do go this route you would be well served to get the saw setup with a 3/8lp (Stihl Picco) bar and chain instead of the 0.325 that comes with it stock. Should be a zero cost swap. While you are at it get the rim sprocket setup.

@SteveSr when you say zero cost swap, you mean when I buy the saw they should do this for me? My local Ace Hardware is a Stihl dealer so that's where I was planning to go.

 

[WoodmanSr]

@SteveSr when you say zero cost swap, you mean when I buy the saw they should do this for me? My local Ace Hardware is a Stihl dealer so that's where I was planning to go.

@SteveSr when you say zero cost swap, you mean when I buy the saw they should do this for me? My local Ace Hardware is a Stihl dealer so that's where I was planning to go.

So I doubt Ace Hardware will exchange/convert inventory models. Figure you need a Stihl franchise for that negotiation.

To each there own. A true 50cc is a 0.325 pitch saw. Lots of options; chisel, semi-chisel, narrow kerf. There is chisel & semi-chisel choice from 3/8 LP Stihl 63-series but more options from .325". I view .325 is just a more robust chain.

Here's a recent thread, good stuff.
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/3-8-lp-picco-vs-325-chain-on-a-33-50cc-saw.377736/

 

[SteveSr]

@SteveSr when you say zero cost swap, you mean when I buy the saw they should do this for me? My local Ace Hardware is a Stihl dealer so that's where I was planning to go.

I hate ACE and other local Stihl hardware stores. Around here prices are usually considerably higher than DSRP, especially on accessories and selection is limited.

A Stihl only dealer should be able to do this swap as they can easily sell the take-offs to other customers as repair parts. Ace may not want to deal with this. I would call and check. You might also want to check your local John Deere dealer as they are also Stihl dealers.

 

[JAXJEREMY]

I hear what you're saying. I've had good luck at the Ace with my other Stihl products, so I'll check. The retail price I'm seeing is $399 for the 250 an I have about $30 in store coupons.

 

[WoodmanSr]

I hear what you're saying. I've had good luck at the Ace with my other Stihl products, so I'll check. The retail price I'm seeing is $399 for the 250 an I have about $30 in store coupons.

The ms250 has not been produced for... what 10 years. Ended 2014. I'd bet is a legacy advertiser & only available ms251 Woodboss or ms251 C-BE that heavier & low-emissions stratocharged cylinder. A fine saw for home owners or trail clearing. Maybe not my choice as 50cc surrogate firewood saw. Yes, should work okay. It appears ms251 are now only ONE bar stud, not ideal for firewood duty chain tension. I'd shy away from C-BE quick tensioner & EZ-start... more home owner gizmos.
It seems like you prefer Stihl so left buying new ms251, wait for a clean used ms250, or look to another brand in $500 budget (Echo cs4910 $379 or cs501P $547 level msrp, same models other than a few features. Covered broadly in other posts).

 

[SteveSr]

The ms250 has not been produced for... what 10 years. Ended 2014. I'd bet is a legacy advertiser & only available ms251 Woodboss or ms251 C-BE that heavier & low-emissions stratocharged cylinder. A fine saw for home owners or trail clearing. Maybe not my choice as 50cc surrogate firewood saw. Yes, should work okay. It appears ms251 are now only ONE bar stud, not ideal for firewood duty chain tension. I'd shy away from C-BE quick tensioner & EZ-start... more home owner gizmos.
It seems like you prefer Stihl so left buying new ms251, wait for a clean used ms250, or look to another brand in $500 budget (Echo cs4910 $379 or cs501P $547 level msrp, same models other than a few features. Covered broadly in other posts).

I think that you need to check your facts. Yes, the MS250 dates back to the original 025 but now with flippy caps. However Stihl killed off the 210 and 230 but kept the MS250 most likely because it is a big seller and a lot of folks don't like the MS251 for some of the reasons that you mention.

I have rebuilt both an MS250 and an MS251 and I'll take the 250 any day.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Echo cs4910, or 501p. Or find a NOS Makita ea5000p.

 

[GMB74]

We were still stocking and selling MS250 saws at the Stihl dealership I worked for 2 years ago, before I retired.
Very popular saws and my favorite small firewood saw. That said, a pro-level saw like MS261 is much nicer in every way except the price.

 

[Chevboy0167]

We have a 250 at work. New maintenance kid said he tried to start it but failed. He claimed something wrong with it cause it just floods out. Was gonna take it to Stihl dealer to fix.

Now, he is not at total saw noob as he has an Echo 590 for a few yrs now and cuts almost every weekend. I have seen some vids of him and said saw dropping sticks.

So, I had to explain the quirks of the 250 starting procedure after I pulled my guts out with the throttle pinned wide open as he starred in disbelief when she coughed to life! LOL

 

[Kdavis2685]

Hey guys, Merry Christmas/Happy New Year! Looking for another saw. Right now I have an MS170 and a MS361. Sometime the 170 isn't enough and the 361 is overkill. Been very happy with the Stihls, but I'm open to other recommendations. Anyway, what I want is a mid-range saw, started looking at the 250 and that seems to be in the sweet spot, definitely don't need a pro saw. This will mainly be used to do the occasional cutting on my property up in West Virginia. Would like to stay in the $500 range. Thanks in advance.

Ms 250 is a nice saw. Like others mentioned it builds high compression related to the starter pulley size and can be harder to pull than others the same size....but for what matters, the cutting and durability, they are great. It's the longest carried of the older designs for a reason, it is a sweet spot. I would take it over echo or others. An arborist buddy of mine (who is a echo fan and ports all his) asked me what I had done to mine, be cause it cuts so well he assumed I had modified it. I told him the truth, nothing it's stock. They don't have a rim sprocket, and the light 04 or 06 whatever they come with 0.325 is great (narrower keft than 3/8). I wouldn't do 3/8 lp on this size. 0.325 with whatever it comes with is good honestly. Mine wears a 18" bar and is very good with it.

 

[SteveSr]

They don't have a rim sprocket...

Correct, the come with a spur but a rim conversion kit is available.

I would run up to 18" with 3/8LP or 16" with 0.325"

These also respond well to a muffler mod but you'll have to remove or reset the limiter assuming that you get an "H" adjustable carb.

 

[Kdavis2685]

Correct, the come with a spur but a rim conversion kit is available.

I would run up to 18" with 3/8LP or 16" with 0.325"

These also respond well to a muffler mod but you'll have to remove or reset the limiter assuming that you get an "H" adjustable carb.

Good to know. I hadn't considered even looking into conversions to rim sprocket. Thanks.

 

[capetrees]

Hey guys, Merry Christmas/Happy New Year! Looking for another saw. Right now I have an MS170 and a MS361. Sometime the 170 isn't enough and the 361 is overkill. Been very happy with the Stihls, but I'm open to other recommendations. Anyway, what I want is a mid-range saw, started looking at the 250 and that seems to be in the sweet spot, definitely don't need a pro saw. This will mainly be used to do the occasional cutting on my property up in West Virginia. Would like to stay in the $500 range. Thanks in advance.

MS271

 

[Marley5]

MS 250 is still available around here and a fantastic firewood saw. Muffler mod and it's beyond.
Echo CS 490 is another serious consideration.
By the way, don't understand the starting issues with the the 250 " user error " ,
Perhaps the easiest starting saw I own, 3 pulls consistently.