Stihl ms 250 chainsaw

[Jayhunter]

Hi, I am new here and also looking at a new Stihl ms 250 chainsaw. I am wondering if there is any difference between say one 5 or 10 years old vs one I can buy brand new now? I think these saws from the outside look the same but not sure about internals. I appreciate any feedback back I can receive. Thank you

 

[irhunter]

I don't believe the saws have changed much, in important ways. Or, maybe, at all.

The deal with older saws, which are currently running/cutting well, is the rubber parts are all old and are subject to issues. Fuel and impulse lines, carb diaphragms, and crank seals. None of those are big-dollar parts.

But, if you get an air leak, due to old seals, and fail to notice the warning signs...you can quickly melt the piston.

Not so good.

Roy

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Notable changes are carb, muffler, air filter, and tank vent between (early) 025 and MS250. Believe there were minor changes in the cylinder as well. For the money I’d get a new MS250 over a used 025 unless it’s in like new condition.

 

[Marley5]

You won't be disappointed with the new 250.
One of the easiest starting saws I own and a superb firewood saw.

 

[Jayhunter]

I don't believe the saws have changed much, in important ways. Or, maybe, at all.

The deal with older saws, which are currently running/cutting well, is the rubber parts are all old and are subject to issues. Fuel and impulse lines, carb diaphragms, and crank seals. None of those are big-dollar parts.

But, if you get an air leak, due to old seals, and fail to notice the warning signs...you can quickly melt the piston.

Not so good.

Roy

Thank you so much I think I will buy a brand new one. I have seen people buying used for 250 that’s why I was really wondering if it was worth it or not.

 

[Jayhunter]

You won't be disappointed with the new 250.
One of the easiest starting saws I own and a superb firewood saw.

Thank you I’m going to buy a brand new one then

 

[buzz sawyer]

Do a search on the 250 - many complaints of hard starting, including one from my brother. I have not seen the saw yet.

Clarification - by "hard starting", I meant hard pulling.

 

[cscltd]

They are not hard starting, fire in 3-4 pulls, but they are hard to pull, if your over 60 and or have a bad shoulder, you may not be able to roll it over quick enough.
In Canada we have the ms250C version which has easy pull starter in which an 80 year old lady can start

 

[Marley5]

I'm 64 and my 250 pulls no harder than my Husqvarna's or Echo's but I drop start everything.
Around here when someone claims the MS 250 starts hard is because they don't use high idle to start them warm and end up flooding the saw.

 

[sundance]

You won't be disappointed with the new 250.
One of the easiest starting saws I own and a superb firewood saw.

Don't know what else you own.....but, easiest starting and 250 have never been in one sentence I've seen. Mines a beast / nightmare to get started. Want to swap? I'll throw in some cash.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

They are great little saws and a basic muffler mod makes a huge difference.

 

[nheller718]

They are not hard starting, fire in 3-4 pulls, but they are hard to pull, if your over 60 and or have a bad shoulder, you may not be able to roll it over quick enough.
In Canada we have the ms250C version which has easy pull starter in which an 80 year old lady can start

Harder to pull than my 041 FB? I'm considering getting a saw made some time in the last decade and the 250 is on my list.

 

[Okie]

You might review this thread on this site.
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/jerky-pull-cord.359780/

Lots of complaints about the 250 and MS250 not pull cranking easily. (unless you have a stout crank arm/shoulder. (not made for the Nancy types to use)

I've got a 250 plus other stihls and I have to get mean with the 250 but I do gently bring it up on the compression stroke slow then a stout pull through.

 

[Okie]

Also I would suggest if you want to buy a 250 new, have the Stihl shop put gas and oil in the saw as new and then let you immediately try to start the saw YOURSELF so as you can make the decision WHILE YOU STILL HAVE YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET.
I'm talking about a saw that has never been gassed or started before if new.
When storing my saws I dump the gas and then let them sit and idle until all the gas is used out of the carb. You will get the pull crank idea if you try to start a dry carb cold start 250 a few times getting the carb to prime.

Most generally they do start easier once the carb has already been primed (not run dry of fuel) and the engine warm.

Summary: I would not buy another 250 after having experience with mine and I do like Stihl chainsaws.
My go to chainsaws are the 028's for firewood saws.

If I wanted a easy crank chainsaw due to weak shoulder, etc, I would probably look a the easy start type Stihl or re-search such.

 

[jblnut]

“Back in the day” I was looking for a saw to replace my 041 and the dealer had an 025 and a brand new and improved MS250 on the shelf. I went with the MS250 and have cut a couple hundred cord of firewood with the thing over the years. I’ve never once thought it was hard starting. I have purchased two more MS250’s over the years and they both start great. I used the original one today. It’s getting a bit tired but it has a ton of hours on it.

Really not sure why they get so much hate

 

[irhunter]

Also I would suggest if you want to buy a 250 new, have the Stihl shop put gas and oil in the saw as new and then let you immediately try to start the saw YOURSELF so as you can make the decision WHILE YOU STILL HAVE YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET.

Oh boy...another MS250-hard-to-pull thread. Rather like the eternal "oil threads."

While I have no real hands-on interest in the MS250 (026 and MS260 are really cheap where I live), I do find the hard-pull discussion interesting.

Recoil design? Compression? Worn out parts? New saws worse than old...visa versa?

Opinions are all over the map.

Anyway, to the OP...Okie, above, is 100% correct about any saw you buy!

Roy

 

[777funk]

I have one and it's easy to pull (drop starting). It starts cold in 5 or 6 pulls to first pop on choke, then flip to run and it's going. After warm, starts first pull. Great saw. I have a 16" 3/8" Lo Pro 0.043" wide chain on it, and it's maybe my favorite saw. Giving it to my dad so he can have a nice saw instead of his Craftsman Poulan with too big a bar (18" with LP) for the wimpy little 42cc stock engine.

 

[GMB74]

I have cut my firewood for decades with an MS250 and an 025 before that. Several have passed through my hands over the years and I never considered them hard to pull over. Easy to flood, yes if you crank it too much with the choke closed. After awhile you get the rhythm of starting it cold and know when to flip the choke off whether you hear the pop or not.
I have found an elastostart handle makes it a little smoother to pull over now that I have a few more years on me.