I have a MS461 that requires a new bar. It currently has the stock bar, 3003 000 9431 (3/8, .063, 25"). I was wondering if there's a current better alternative (light weight, aftermarket), or just go back with the original? Thoughts?
IMO, Stihl makes the best oem bars in the business. You might want to consider the same bar, but ES Light. It'll shave some weight at the cost of durability. Normal cutting, it should last as as long as an ES bar, but it won't tolerate getting tweaked around as much; eg twisted when a tree doesn't behave as you think it should.
Otherwise, you might want to consider going to a smaller gauge. .050 is pretty much standard here, and it makes getting chains a bit easier. I could run to walmart of homedepot to get something that would fit in an emergency. I'd have to go to a Stihl dealer to find a .063 chain, but it may differ in your location.
I have the 046 mag and run the 3/8th pitch 25-inch bar as well. works well, why change.
I would recommend a tsumura light bar. .050. 25".
The finish on the stihl lite bars wears in no time and looks like crap.
I would get the same bar. More strength is better than a small reduction in weight.
Any place that sells Stihl products will have .063 chains. Around here that means every hardware store and building supply store plus of course our local saw shop.
My 461 is almost eleven years old and has cut a lot of hedge. I replaced the bar last year for the first time. I went back with a regular Stihl bar I run 20" 3/8" 50 on mine. I found a good deal on a bar two chain combo on Ebay.
I'd go 28" ES light .063". Actually I have 30" on mine but that's an odd size.