Stihl MS 271

[EagleEye2112]

Hello everyone,

Hope you are all doing well, I just wanted to get some opinions on the Stihl MS 271 (I'm assuming it would be a better choice then the MS 250/251?).

Thanks!

Brian

[7sleeper]

Definately a good saw from Stihl! Will do everything you can ask of a 50cc saw. Won't be the fastest or lightest but also not the slowest or heaviest. Good quality that will last a home owner a life time with proper maintenance! Excellent choice for any firewooder who needs a saw.

What do you need it for? That would help us evaluate if it fits your needs or not better.

7

[EagleEye2112]

Hi 7sleeper , thanks for the reply!

I would be using it for firewood and cleaning up trees that have fallen around the property (4.5 acres), maybe some felling occasionally. The way you describe the MS 271 sounds perfect, not too big, not too small, something right in the middle. Exactly what I want.

I'm a forestry student at Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario and wanted to get my hands on a saw to get familiar with general usage.

[SawTroll]

Just another "homeowner" saw with a plastic case, and too much weigth for its power.

It is not made to the same standards as the 270, that it replaces.

[7sleeper]

@eagleeye,

I disagree with sawtroll, I see it as a defitiv upgrade to the old 270.

As an alternativ though, I would recomend the Husqarna 545 highly to you. It already has the new autotune feature and it is a little bit better in the weight and handling department. Especially if you are a forestry student, I believe very good equipement is mandatory. Pricewise it should be in the same class as the 271.

Further quality companies exist where their 50cc saw will always make you happy. Echo=Shindaiwa, Efco=Oleo Mac, Dolmar=Makita, Hitachi=Tanaka, Husqvarna=Jonsered=Zenoah=Red Max(=Mc Culloch=Partner the hobby line), Solo and Stihl.

Usually the top two players (Stihl & Husqvarna) command a premium for their products. It is often dramatically cheaper to go with the lesser brands. Of course you will be exposing yourself to the snobby factor. There are areas if you don't have a Stihl, Husqvarna, whatever you sure are a poor poor guy in many ways!!! totally irrespective of how good your saw really is! 

50cc is the middle class of saws! And it will definately do what you ask of it. Many recomend one or two sizes up (60 or 70cc) but don't worry. You will get your work done in a timely manner and your saw can do it irrespective of what others try to surrogate.

The best basic buy out there that I am aware of would be the Mc Culloch 5020(~200$). But If you have the money go get something a little better. Another excelent buy would be the Red Max 5300 = Husqvarna 353, it is the predessesor of the 545 and just as good.

And don't forget PPE!!!!!!! = personal protection equipment = chaps, helmet, eye & ear protection, minimum steel toed boots, etc. That is what will save your face, your legs etc from a razor sharp chain running with ~ 69 feet per second!!! Get a cheaper saw if you can't or don't want to afford ppe!

Good luck!

7

[EagleEye2112]

Thanks for the recommendation 7sleeper, I think I will opt for the 545. Considering that it is in the pro class and the weight difference, plus the fact that it has a magnesium crankcase would make it a bit better. Seems like a bit more saw for the same price.

[EagleEye2112]

Unfortunately the 545 seems to only be available in the USA.

Disregard.

[EagleEye2112]

So the Husky 545 with an 18" bar, where I am, is $600. Do I go with that or the Stihl equal (price wise) which is the MS 391 (right now at $600)? I'm thinking the 545 because it's considered a pro saw and I don't really need the extra power.

[7sleeper]

So the Husky 545 with an 18" bar, where I am, is $600. Do I go with that or the Stihl equal (price wise) which is the MS 391 (right now at $600)? I'm thinking the 545 because it's considered a pro saw and I don't really need the extra power.

wow a lot of change! How much is the 271? How much would a dolmar 5105(pro saw! magnesium construction) cost? Same league as the 550xp & 261 but usually much cheaper!

7

[EagleEye2112]

The MS 271 is $450 ($50 off right now). This is what the Stihl prices look like here:

http://www.stihldealers.ca/Search.aspx/Nobleton/Ontario/ON/L0G+1N0/Green+Tractors+Nobleton/chainsaws.html?Lang=en

Dolmar 5105 = $660...

[7sleeper]

To be honest I believe the Husqvarna to be better, but definately not 150$ better! For that money you can buy a bunch of spare stihl chain and other stuff.

How much would a Dolmar 421 be? Because that is the smallest pro type built saw I recomend for someone like you. Only 42cc but behaves like 50!

7

[EagleEye2112]

Dolmar 421 = $400

[7sleeper]

How much money do you want to spend? Do you have enough left over for PPE? That is mandatory for me. 150-200$ is more than enough for PPE.

For me it would boil down to a draw between the 421 and 271. If you have trees mainly in the 25 inches and over it would be the 271, if below the 421.

Further many like having more than one saw. Typically recomended is the 50&70 cc combo. I see the 40&60cc combo as completly sufficient for the homeowner.

Personally I would start out with a 40cc saw and upgrade later to a 60cc. Like the Dolmar 421 & 6100 combo are one of the best for the homeowner.

Desicions can only be made by whom it concerns. Good luck!  ;D

7

[7sleeper]

I might add that I sold my dolmar 50cc pro saw because my 420(old model with only 2.7hp) model does 90% of the work. Of course I have a 60cc saw for larger stuff.

7

[EagleEye2112]

Thank you very much for your opinions and insight 7sleeper, much appreciated. I will update when I have made my purchase.

I do very much consider PPE a must and will be getting some.

Take care!

[7sleeper]

Your welcome!

7

[flyfish57]

IMHO, one other thing to consider is parts and service advailibility. The Husqvarna, Shendawa, Stihl and others have some good or great  saws.  But, the thing that sold me was the parts and service for that saw in my area.  Unfortunately, there isn't that much in a big city on most of those brands.  Stihl, on the other hand has about 8 stores within about 10 miles of where I live or where my property is and about 20 within 30 miles.  That's why I chose Stihl.  Not necessarly because it was better.  I guess it's like tractors it's whatever they have in your area.   Some, it's John Deere, some it's Ford/New Holland and some it's Case.  But, as always there will be those so loyal that nothing else will work.  Even though they might not be able to get parts as readily.  I didn't see where you lived. But, here a new MS 271 is $399.99 with up to a 20" bar.

James

[SawTroll]

The Husky 545 is a pro quality saw with a magnesium case and much less weight than the 271. It is basically the same saw as the 550xp, but slightly "detuned" to hit a lower price point.

The Husky counterpart to the MS271 is the 450, and even that one is a good bit lighter.

[SawTroll]

@eagleeye, I disagree with sawtroll, I see it as a defitiv upgrade to the old 270.

......   

You need to take a close look at how those saws are built!  ;)

[ladylake]

The Husky 545 is a pro quality saw with a magnesium case and much less weight than the 271. It is basically the same saw as the 550xp, but slightly "detuned" to hit a lower price point.

The Husky counterpart to the MS271 is the 450, and even that one is a good bit lighter.

How did they detune it, I'd guess open port vs closed port as the open port would be cheaper to make.  Also have to agree Stihl is making their saws (except the pro saws) cheaper every year using their name to sell them.   Steve

[SawTroll]

The Husky 545 is a pro quality saw with a magnesium case and much less weight than the 271. It is basically the same saw as the 550xp, but slightly "detuned" to hit a lower price point.

The Husky counterpart to the MS271 is the 450, and even that one is a good bit lighter.

How did they detune it, I'd guess open port vs closed port as the open port would be cheaper to make.  .....   Steve

As far as I know it is by narrower transfers (transfer covers really) and different programming. They are not open port.

[jargo432]

Wow, all those comments and not one mention of the Echo CS-590. 

[beenthere]

Wow, all those comments and not one mention of the Echo CS-590. 

Check out the OP.  Might be why.

[gspren]

  Since you are a forestry student you will probably be using chainsaws for many years to come. If there is any way you can afford it get a PRO saw and treat it right and you will get your moneys worth out of it plus enjoy the cutting much more.

[SawTroll]

Wow, all those comments and not one mention of the Echo CS-590. 

Let's keep it that way!  ;D

[jargo432]

Man, can you feel the love here or what?  :D

[H 2 H]

Wow, all those comments and not one mention of the Echo CS-590. 

I could post some quotes on what he has said on other forums ?

[Mooseherder]

Leave all that animosity over there.  Where ever that is.
If there isn't anything constructive to say, stay out of the discussion.
Personal attacks won't be tolerated.  Consider this a warning.
Thanks.  Carry on.

[missedbass]

like my 271, no problems starting, cuts great, good on fuel and does what it needs to do. I keep the bar clean and the chain sharp. I could spend more just to say I have a pro saw but since this does everything I need it to do I'm happy

[7sleeper]

@eagleeye,

do yourself a favor and listen to people like below.

like my 271, no problems starting, cuts great, good on fuel and does what it needs to do. I keep the bar clean and the chain sharp. I could spend more just to say I have a pro saw but since this does everything I need it to do I'm happy

Sawtroll and others love recomending pro tools for amateur needs. There are so many variables to include that it is a rather over simplistic discussion. f.e. a pro with the farmer saw is always going to be faster than any amateur with a pro saw, simply because he has training, experience and knowledge with what he is doing. The chain is sharp, the carb set correct, etc. etc. For the money saved over a pro saw it is smarter to invest in ppe, quality Stihl or Oregon VPX chains, premix fuel (so that storing the chainsaw over a longer time period is no problem), etc.

7

[jargo432]

Today's saws are so good it's hard to go wrong.  I spent my youth cutting with a homelite XL.  Not a bad saw, but it doesn't compare with with what's out there today.

Just wondering,  Does the school your going to have a class on using chainsaws?  If so I'd love to hear about it.

Best of luck.

[SawTroll]

Sawtroll and others love recomending pro tools for amateur needs.

Actually, I fully accept that there are a need for cheaper tools (saws in this case) - what I react negatively to is when people comment on those cheap tools as if they are equal to much better tools - which they simply aren't.

Also, there is nothing wrong with using nicer tools than you stricktly need - it makes the use a lot more enjoyable!

[beenthere]

I spent my youth cutting with a homelite XL.

And I with a Homelite Super EZ.. until about '70, then Homelite XL 12.

Now this MS271 looks to be light years ahead, but in those days gone by, the Homelite's were great saws. IMO

[missedbass]

Sawtroll and others love recomending pro tools for amateur needs.

Actually, I fully accept that there are a need for cheaper tools (saws in this case) - what I react negatively to is when people comment on those cheap tools as if they are equal to much better tools - which they simply aren't.

Also, there is nothing wrong with using nicer tools than you stricktly need - it makes the use a lot more enjoyable!

agreed. Reminds me of the time I went fishing on the beach. Driving to the spot with my old Jeep(farm), I came upon two guys in a $60K Mercedes suv(pro) buried up to its chassis in the sand. I fished that day, while they played in the sand. :laugh:

[jargo432]

The older I get the more of a tool snob I become.  When I was young and broke most of the time, trying to raise a family on small wages, I was happy to have the cheapest tool needed to get the job done.  As I've become older I've moved up to better paying jobs, thus able to buy better tools. 

Each person is in a different place in their life.  I can fully understand buying the cheapest tool possible when you've got a stack of bills, very little money and yet you HAVE to get something fixed or done. 

God Bless the guy that buys the cheap tools because he has to. 

[7sleeper]

What I believe is really getting out of hand is the reality of what saw manufacturers are really producing. There is a trend obviously here in these and other forums to over simplify the products discused. Extremely often prejudice is all to obvious. And yes the classic sentence is top of the line, all else is insufficient.
There is a reason for manufacturers to produce and declare certain products for certain peoples needs. The simple classification of homeowner, farmer and pro class has it's reason of existence. And yes not everyone needs top of the line and this I believe is all to often neglected. But it will be impossible to change anything through my words, because that would mean changing people and as we all know people don't want to change...

7

[Andyshine77]

The Husky 545 is a pro quality saw with a magnesium case and much less weight than the 271. It is basically the same saw as the 550xp, but slightly "detuned" to hit a lower price point.

The Husky counterpart to the MS271 is the 450, and even that one is a good bit lighter.

How did they detune it, I'd guess open port vs closed port as the open port would be cheaper to make.  Also have to agree Stihl is making their saws (except the pro saws) cheaper every year using their name to sell them.   Steve

Smaller transfer covers, and likely less advanced port timing numbers. I know some of the older models like the 353, 359 all used lower quality top ends as well. This however did not effected overall quality or durability. 

[Bricklayer51]

Been cutting firewood since I was 16 always had used saws. Went down to Lincoln Mi bought a new ms271 for 400 bucks. I only sell a little firewood now should last a long time.

[missedbass]

Enjoy your new saw, I think you will be pleased

[samandothers]

Never did hear what OP purchased.  Maybe a bit afraid too after so much discussion.  I am sure it was the right one for their situation.

[Bricklayer51]

Took my new 271 to the woods yesterday, ran two tanks of fuel. We were cutting standing dead red and white oak. I am very happy with the saw. My first real workout since I had surgery. Feeling a lot sore spots this morning.