First, I got and am totally partial to the MS270.
Now, I am not deep into all the .325 cha9in vs the other chain issues, all I know is as long as I do my end of the job and keep it sharp, the chain cuts just fine (and I do a lot of very frozen wood, been out there as low as –30, though I did not last long at that temperature).
What’s interesting, I have lived in Alaska all but two years (my folks hauled me up the highway kicking and screaming at age 2). I have never had a new saw, though I cut a lot, all work stuff and those were Mac and Homelights (Mac were fast and hard to start, Homlite were slow and started reliably).
I fell in love with the Stihl surveying as they were light (not sure what model, but smaller than the 270) and they wood (all these puns intended) cut as much as you needed (sometimes one damned tree on line after another) and you could reach up one handed and cut limbs off (and yes I know its dangerous, but given the choice of 15 minutes to cut a tree vs one whack and move on the one cut won. You position yourself carefully and be prepared to throw the saw away if it starts to go wrong, which I never had happen.
So, I wanted a Stihl. Light, great cutters and full lcoal support.
I got a real knowledge guy who cuts wood and we decided that at 10 cords a year (roughly) cutting no more often two days a week and often less, the mid range saws wood do it.
At that point it was a decision between price and need. The need just did not seem to justify the 280 or bigger. While the 270 would work full out occasionally, it was only 1% of the time, the rest it was 30 to 70%. The 270 seemed to fulfill that at the best price.
Oddly, up here, as they cut a lot of brush, they only bring in 20 inch saws (Stihl suggests a 16 inch bar as the best of this saw).
I knew I did not need 20 inch as I was only cutting on a lot pile, and if I ever brush, then I can live with 18 inch (and it makes a handy reference for round length as that’s what the fireplace will take).
Up here we cut 3 types. Birch (best,) spruce distant second, and aspen last (cotton wood is a waste). A lot is done in winter from –20 to 32 or so.
As long as I keep the chain sharp, it cuts gangbuster, and the anti vibration system not only works, it makes vibration a totally zero issue.
The auto oil works fine, never has come up short. Weight is low enough that its not an issue. Its held up just fine at maybe 30 cords so far.
Frankly I think its all the saw you need including the 280, 290 or the Pro 260. If you need more than the 270, then the MS361 would be the choice.
The only thing I am skeptical about is the winter bar oil. When I went to using that, I have had two chains break. They originally had only the summer stuff and no issue in winter. Suspect that it’s the oil weight, and the guy who sold it indicated that the oil reservoir heated up just fine from engine heat in the winter and it delivered just fine. I may go back to it or mix 50/50
It can be just a bit picky on starting, but I have figured out that it mostly likes the serious full choke until it fire, or at least fires and stops. Then to the regular choke and fine. Totally hot no choke.
It flooded once for no reason and I pulled the plug and cleaned and fired up.
It flooded a second time and froze up the blade at –20 amidst a lot of flying snow I could not get away from on the logs. I was froze up to, so I went home. I could not get it to start even with the bar thawed and clearing the plug, I tired the book procedure and nada as well.
I figured the whole thing was packed with snow and better to thaw and dry and then try the next day. It Stihl would not start, I was about ready to take it in when I decided that I needed to follow what I do at work, go back to the start, and follow instructions line by line reading each step from memory.
Upshot was that when I did the clearing of the flooding right with the right setting, it blow a mess of fuel out. I cleaned the plug, followed the rest and it fired up immediately.
Frankly I think it’s the unsung hero in the line that gives you all you need with all the bang for the buck required until you just cut so much and or heavy you need a Pro, and then you want the MS361. The MS361 is great if you need it and you have the money, but it will cost you $200 more.
I think the MS270 is the ideal bang for the buck for that mid range cutting class and use, bar none.
A pretty d@mn good saw for the money. A tad slower than a 270, but 70 bucks cheaper. The only problem I have seen is the muffler coming loose and melting the plastic around it. Besides that, way better than any husky till you get to the 346xp.
