Stihl MS-441CM or MS-461 ?

[s219]

So I went from not being able to find a 441 CM for my buddy to having my choice between a 441 CM or 461 (both shipments will arrive at a local dealer early next week). I don't have all the specs for the 461 yet, but it appears to be a strato design but not M-tronic. Will probably weigh about the same as the 441 but have more power. Rubber anti-vibe. Probably about $100 more than the 441 CM.

Any thoughts from people who do know the specs of the 461? Other than the extra cost, the 461 would seem to be a no brainer in terms of power/weight, however I'd expect the 441 CM to be smoother and maybe a little more user friendly.

 

[kwhite1271]

Actually got the first 461 in the store on Tuesday. It seems to be a well built saw like the 460 . It weighs the same, and from everything i've seen or heard, has as much power as the 460. Same weight as 441cm but a little more power. It is about $100.00 more than the 441cm. If M-tronic is what you would like, then the 441cm is the only choice. And it will be a little smoother in the AV dept. as well.

 

[tgerloff92]

441 or 460! The 461 is an over-anticipated saw. It's strato'd so the efficiency will be up but that ls about it. My 441 cm after ported and re-calibrated runs like a raped ape and the extra revs and in the cut adjustment make it a top contender in my book

 

[woodbrnr]

The 441 is one of my favorite saws, can't go wrong with it.

 

[SawTroll]

441 or 460! The 461 is an over-anticipated saw. It's strato'd so the efficiency will be up but that ls about it. My 441 cm after ported and re-calibrated runs like a raped ape and the extra revs and in the cut adjustment make it a top contender in my book

It looks like the 461 is another screw-up to me - but we don't really know yet....:msp_rolleyes:

 

[tgerloff92]

How can you say that yet not know #### about how it runs?!

 

[sawfun9]

How big a bar do you need and how fast do you need the saw to cut? For a lot of 28" use and some 32" use get the 460 for a lot of 24" use and some 28" use get the 441. The 461 will stump better than the 441. If your using the saw 6+ hours a day several days in a row then the 441's AV come into play, for the weekend cutter however, AV is less of and issue. The 461 will put a bigger smile on your face but cost more to buy and feed. then also see what feels best in your hands. I don't like the 441's feel (the saw feels and handles heavier than it is to me) or size where the 460 feels and handles natural to me.

 

[s219]

How can you say that yet not know #### about how it runs?!

I thought that's how he rolls? I'd be shocked to hear ST offer a validated opinion.

 

[tgerloff92]

I thought that's how he rolls? I'd be shocked to hear ST offer a validated opinion.

Great point, mind fart on my part.

 

[s219]

How big a bar do you need and how fast do you need the saw to cut? For a lot of 28" use and some 32" use get the 460 for a lot of 24" use and some 28" use get the 441. The 461 will stump better than the 441. If your using the saw 6+ hours a day several days in a row then the 441's AV come into play, for the weekend cutter however, AV is less of and issue. The 461 will put a bigger smile on your face but cost more to buy and feed. then also see what feels best in your hands. I don't like the 441's feel (the saw feels and handles heavier than it is to me) or size where the 460 feels and handles natural to me.

I have been running a 441 myself with a 20" bar for typical cutting, or a 25" when needed for felling bigger stuff. I'd buy a longer bar if I ever need one. I guess what it comes down to is -- do I sell the 441 to my buddy and get the 461 for myself, or keep my 441 and he buys a new 441. This is a real twisted case of CAD, obviously, but how can I refuse when these situations drop in my lap.

The 441 has done fine for me, but the new 461 is intriguing. I am interested in setting up an Alaskan sawmill for pine and poplar, and that has me thinking the 461 would be a little better. As far as vibration, I like how smooth the 441 and my 261 are, and probably wouldn't want to take a huge downgrade there even though I only cut on weekends for the most part.

So with no complaints about the 441, I guess the question is whether the extra power and capability of the 461 is worth a tradeoff of more vibration, more cost, more fuel. Well, that, and it's also a new model and carries some allure… Not much allure in my life anymore, so I gotta take advantage of it...

 

[SawTroll]

How can you say that yet not know #### about how it runs?!

They are just not able to keep up with Husky's progress, and still have to depend on the "first generation" strato and AT stuff, that Husky sold them years ago....

 

[H 2 H]

How can you say that yet not know #### about how it runs?!

You just have to face it ST is in his own little world about Stihl Chainsaw's :msp_tongue:

Heck; I don't like talking about saw's I haven't work on or ran for a period of time and the 461 I haven't used or even seen one I've seen pictures of them that's all :msp_w00t:

 

[tgerloff92]

You just have to face it ST is in his own little world about Stihl Chainsaw's :msp_tongue:

Heck; I don't like talking about saw's I haven't work on or ran for a period of time and the 461 I haven't used or even seen one I've seen pictures of them that's all :msp_w00t:

Well by going by that motto, ST shouldn't be talking. Maybe not Ben a part of these forums

 

[Andyshine77]

Well by going by that motto, ST shouldn't be talking. Maybe not Ben a part of these forums

Easy does it young buck. ST knows more about saws than you'll likely ever know. Much of what ST says about Stihl saws is just to get a rise out of them old Stihl heads. Truth is he's normally right anyway.

 

[Officer's Match]

Both stock and ported, the 441C has proven a strong runner that's very easy to live with. The 461 may prove out to do both as well, but frankly we have no way of knowing as of yet.

 

[WV wood chopper]

Easy does it young buck. ST knows more about saws than you'll likely ever know. Much of what ST says about Stihl saws is just to get a rise out of them old Stihl heads. Truth is he's normally right anyway.

How can you say ST "likely" knows more than him about saws?? Nobody knows who knows the most about anything anybody knows w/o knowing what that somebody "likely" really knows! Know what I mean, or do you just know what ST "likely" knows, or thinks he knows w/o knowing who knows more than he does? I bet I "likely" know the answer!

 

[tgerloff92]

Easy does it young buck. ST knows more about saws than you'll likely ever know. Much of what ST says about Stihl saws is just to get a rise out of them old Stihl heads. Truth is he's normally right anyway.

Don't you guys ever get tired of it? Jesus

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

Easy does it young buck. ST knows more about saws than you'll likely ever know. Much of what ST says about Stihl saws is just to get a rise out of them old Stihl heads. Truth is he's normally right anyway.

Truth is Saw Troll has never run or even seen a Stihl chainsaw in person.

 

[ri chevy]

It looks like the 461 is another screw-up to me - but we don't really know yet....:msp_rolleyes:

The speculation is kind of pathetic, and takes away from good information from the threads. Kind of reminds me of an arm chair general.

Easy does it young buck. ST knows more about saws than you'll likely ever know. Much of what ST says about Stihl saws is just to get a rise out of them old Stihl heads. Truth is he's normally right anyway.

He may, but the Stihl bashing really gets old after a while, like a couple of posts. He detracts threads time and time again. He is on these forums, 24/7. When does he ever cut any wood? Maybe he could grab hold of a Stihl 441 CM or a 460 and head out to the woods, use the saw, and report back to us with his findings? That would make more sense than the constant negativity. It would also give him more credibility. Turn over a new leaf in a new forest please.

 

[opinion]

It would be boring if everyone agreed.