New Saw for Christmas! -- MS 441 C-M

[Eric106]

I decided to get myself, my dad, and a couple of my brothers a new saw for Christmas. We don't need a saw this big often enough to have more than one in the family but we were needing something bigger more and more often. So, it seemed like a good opportunity to get my dad (who always says he doesn't need anything) something he'll actually use and also get my brothers something that they (and I) need from time to time as well. The saw will live at my dad's but we'll all get some use out of it.

Even though it's no different that any other Stihl MS 441 C-M, I know it doesn't count without a photo so here you go.


I decided to get the 20" and a 25" bar. Most of the time the 20" should be sufficient and the saw balances so much better with it. But sometimes we need the extra length of the 25" so I got us one of those too.

This isn't going to get wrapped for under the tree though, were all going cutting this Saturday so I plan to surprise everyone with it then.

I shouldn't need one for a long time but I would love to have the shop manual for it if anyone has a copy. I searched the site but couldn't find it. Thanks, and a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Years to all!

-Eric

 

[memory]

Congrats on your new saw. Actually it does look a little different than other saws, it looks a little more like pink to me

I have the same saw but the R version and I love it.

 

[HuskStihl]

Awesome present! New saw rep would be heading your way if that was still possible

 

[mdavlee]

Nice pick. A 28" stihl light bar would make a nice compliment to the 20" when a longer bar is needed. It weighs the same as the 20". There's not much difference at all in it and a 24" any way.

 

[Eric106]

Thanks. Blame the bad color on compact florescent lights and the cameras they put in phones these days.

I thought about the R version but there aren't that many times it would be needed and it does get in the way if your trying to cut a stump flush -- that and nobody had one in stock to buy or even pick up and handle.

-Eric

 

[bryanr2]

I wish my brother was into saws and would surprise me with such a gift. It's usually up to myself to surprise myself with the gift of a new saw. It's a big responsibility but somebodies got to do it. Im patiently waiting for a couple releases (Husq)/ re-releases (Stihl) after the first of the year so I can start 2014 off right with CAD.

 

[ncsawguy]

that's an awesome gift...my dad had to have the 660 go figure.

 

[XSKIER]

Thanks. Blame the bad color on compact florescent lights and the cameras they put in phones these days.

I thought about the R version but there aren't that many times it would be needed and it does get in the way if your trying to cut a stump flush -- that and nobody had one in stock to buy or even pick up and handle.

-Eric

Great saw, and great family heirloom! You even got the platinum bar lube, nice!

 

[naturelover]

Cool gift!

Will the case close? I had to do some cutting on mine around the brake area to get it to fit...

 

[John R]

Rep for a new saw, if we could still give it.

 

[groundup]

+1 on will the case close?

 

[LowVolt]

Pm me your address and I will send you a mediacat disc and you will have all the shop manuals and ipls for a lot of stihl equipment including your 441cm. It is the same software they use at your dealer.

Congrats on the saw!

 

[fuzz1500]

Great combo ! I like how the case scabbard has a scrench holder btw

 

[walexa07]

My question too - will the case close?

Waylan

 

[MasterMech]

I tried the case option for my 441 but skipped it when the cover wouldn't close. I am curious too, did you have to mod the case to get it right?

I love my 441C-M and it just keeps getting better!

 

[Eric106]

Nice pick. A 28" stihl light bar would make a nice compliment to the 20" when a longer bar is needed. It weighs the same as the 20". There's not much difference at all in it and a 24" any way.

I'll have to keep that in mind. I have one of the light weight bars for my 201T and I like it but it is one of the composite filled ones (not aluminum like the full size) and it is noticeably more flexible.

Great saw, and great family heirloom! You even got the platinum bar lube, nice!

I haven't bought a galon of bar oil for a while and was surprised when this was all they had. I was told it's the same stuff as was in the orange bottle just new packaging but I don't know.

Cool gift! Will the case close? I had to do some cutting on mine around the brake area to get it to fit...

+1 on will the case close?

My question too - will the case close? Waylan

I tried the case option for my 441 but skipped it when the cover wouldn't close. I am curious too, did you have to mod the case to get it right?
I love my 441C-M and it just keeps getting better!

Yes and no. I was already out of the store when I first tried to put it in the case. (I forgot to get the case and had to go back in to buy it -- I probably wouldn't have gotten the case if it was just for me but us passing it around I figured it would be a good idea.) I noticed the first time I tried to close it that it just didn't seem to fit quite right. I tried wiggling it around to get it in the best position but it still didn't close easily.

So, yes it fits but not perfectly. There is about a 1/4" to 3/8" gap around the edge when you close the lid. However, you can easily close the lid and snap the latches with a little force, see below.



I didn't want to cut it up so I used a heat gun to soften up the plastic on the inside and better form the case to the front hand guard. I put about an 1/8" spacer under the saw to give me a little more pressure and then used the heat gun on the inside of the case. Each time I would close the case I could see a slightly larger imprint where the guard was digging in to the case. It's a bit better now but it is still a snug fit. A bigger heat gun would have probably helped. Mine is a really small one I use for heat shrink tubing on electronics. You can see below the gap in the front is just a bit smaller now. I also found that the saw has to be slid as far back as it will go to fit best. I may try again some time to get it a little better.

Pm me your address and I will send you a mediacat disc and you will have all the shop manuals and ipls for a lot of stihl equipment including your 441cm. It is the same software they use at your dealer.

Congrats on the saw!

That's awesome thanks! PM sent!

-Eric

 

[zogger]

Congrats!

Do a follow up in this thread with the cutting party and wood trophies!

 

[mdavlee]

It may be worthwhile to try to trade the 24" for the 28" before you use it

 

[MasterMech]

Nice pick. A 28" stihl light bar would make a nice compliment to the 20" when a longer bar is needed. It weighs the same as the 20". There's not much difference at all in it and a 24" any way.

+1 on the 28" ES Light for these saws. It's a great compliment to the wide-nose 20" I have as well. The featherweight 28" is my favorite for felling!

 

[Eric106]

It may be worthwhile to try to trade the 24" for the 28" before you use it

+1 on the 28" ES Light for these saws. It's a great compliment to the wide-nose 20" I have as well. The featherweight 28" is my favorite for felling!

I'll give them a call tomorrow and see if they have one in stock.
If so I would think that they would exchange it.

-Eric