Throwing a properly tensioned chain under ordinary use does not happen often (and should actually be avoided as this can damage the chain which is more expensive to fix/replace than a piece of plastic).
The chain catcher did its job on your saw - you probably did not lose a leg in the process. The same goes for other safety features as automatic seat belts and air bags in cars - they will be useful once and require replacement after that.
Of course throwing a properly tensioned chain should be avoided!
The chain catcher's job is to catch the chain, and not break in the process.
How could you be sure that it did it's job if it didn't actually catch the chain, but instead snapped off like a small dry twig?
What is ordinary use? And where in the manual does it give you exactly how and what you are allowed to cut with the saw that I purchased with my own money?
The guy at the dealer sounded shocked and appalled when I explained that the chain was thrown while cutting brush (a pile of thin limber sticks that are flexible and not always square to the bar).
And went so far as to invent in his mind that I had ruined my chain (which I had not) by cutting into dirt and rocks (again something that had not occurred).
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the chain.
But the chain catcher was broke.
Are you sure you are not the guy at the dealer?
I completely agree with Wow, that you seem to believe that you are all knowing and anyone who uses a chainsaw and ever throws a chain must be a dumbass.
I'm not a dumbass either and have been using chainsaws for a darn long long time. I've thrown a chain or two and have used and owned many chainsaws. And never had a chain catcher snap like a twig. Much less the very first time that a chain was thrown on a brand new saw.
I'm not some idiot that needs your assuming advice that I am incompetent with the use of said tool, and how lucky I am that I didn't cut my leg off with the saw.
I'll state again that there is no way to tell if it worked as it should, because I don't believe that it was designed(as a safety feature) to break every time a chain hit it.
And seatbelts don't need replacement every time you have to slam on the breaks because some moron wasn't paying attention and ran a light or stop sign.