New Bar for Stihl Ms180 - Can I use any bar I want?

[MapleNeil]

Hi,
The 16" bar on my Stihl ms180 is broken, and since it's .043gauge I was thinking of getting a different bar to replace it with.  There's an Oregon bar that is .050gauge and is supposed to fit the Stihl ms180. But since I'm replacing the bar and the chains, can't I just use any bar I want?  Why does it have to be "compatible" with stihl?  Why can't I, say, use the Oregon bar with the S56 chain instead of the slightly smaller bar with the S55 chain that they recommend?  Or for that matter why not any Oregon bar?
Thanks,
Neil

[CR888]

Yes you can use any brand of bar and chains providing the mounting pattern suits the ms180 (3005 mount). You can also change gauge from .043 to .050 if you wish providing the new bar matches and is 050 as well. Your drive sprocket does not care about the gauge of the chain, just the pitch. Plenty of fellows running ms180's with Oregon bars and chains. Stihl has 3 main bar mount profiles, your bar is the smallest mount (3005). If l was you l would check what the sponsers have as l bet they can give you a good deal. You need a matching bar mount so oiling holes marry up and components fit together. Hope this helps.

[Wallys World]

Check with Comstock logging (FF sponsor). I just got a 24" Oregon .050 bar for $48 for my MS440. They have good pricing and fast shipping. Chain prices are good also.

[Lnewman]

Can you determine the pitch of a sprocket by looking at it?  And can you easily change the sprocket to a different pitch?

[sawguy21]

Experienced saw operators and mechanics can quickly determine the sprocket pitch by looking at it, the information is also usually but not always stamped into it. Sprockets are easily swapped, however in Neil's case 3/8 lo pro is likely all that is available for that saw although there may be a 1/4" for carving.