Kind of narrowed it down.

[computeruser]

Is it just me or have prices gone nuts the past couple years? An MS311 for nearly $500 bucks?! Seriously? An MS250 for $300? Sheeeit, man. I still remember when an MS290 was <$300, and a Dolmar 7900 with 20" bar and a couple loops of chain could be had for $580 out the door.

For OP, honestly, buy used. You're just pissing your money away otherwise.

 

[1Alpha1]

Is it just me or have prices gone nuts the past couple years? An MS311 for nearly $500 bucks?! Seriously? An MS250 for $300? Sheeeit, man. I still remember when an MS290 was <$300, and a Dolmar 7900 with 20" bar and a couple loops of chain could be had for $580 out the door.

For OP, honestly, buy used. You're just pissing your money away otherwise.

I've thought about buying used, but really don't see where I'd save all that much money by just buying a brand-new MS250.

Used saws have a history. Sometimes it's a good history, and sometimes, not so much.

$300.00 +tax for a brand spanking new MS250 isn't going to break me.

 

[1Alpha1]

Get the 250. I have one and love it for the price, would take it over a 290 or 311. I learned here how to muffler mod it and it will run with a well used 260. Too many guys here think if you dont have a pro model saw that it will break easily and never last. Thats crazy, theres millions of homeowner grade stihls and husky's out there that have been abused for years and still run. The most important thing to remember is to use fresh gas, clean the air filter regularly, and most importantly...... LEARN TO SHARPEN A CHAIN PROPERLY! Enjoy your new saw

Did you happen to see my thread about a Poulan 2150 WoodShark?

 

[ptjeep]

Did you happen to see my thread about a Poulan 2150 WoodShark?

Nope but i'll search for it and check it out.

 

[1Alpha1]

Nope but i'll search for it and check it out.

Here it is: http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/216317.htm

 

[1Alpha1]

Not that I need to consider more choices, but now, I'm kinda liking that MS271.

About $90.00 more, and 5 more cc's to boot. Only about 2 lbs. heavier too.

Hmmmmmm...........

 

[Sabertooth]

Not that I need to consider more choices, but now, I'm kinda liking that MS271.

About $90.00 more, and 5 more cc's to boot. Only about 2 lbs. heavier too.

Hmmmmmm...........

The 250 probably a better deal for you.

I've had one for a few years and have been hard on it, but still works. I kind of hate the thing compared to my other saws, but its a great saw to cut and limb over 70 christmas trees a year.#

Its kind of my throw away saw, but it won't die yet. Its been though hell long before I got it.

I'm a Husky and Dolmar fan. So don't think its bad, I just dislike Stihl. Nice paper weights though :msp_tongue:

 

[Locust Cutter]

If your honestly not cutting more than 6-8 cords/yr and the size is routinely 14" or less, the 250 will be a champ at a great price. Give a muffler mod/re-tune and it will be even better. If you doing about the same, but routinely up to 16"-20" get a 391 as the 311 and 391 are not a huge price difference, or weight difference but the power is noticeably better. Again MM/re-tune and you'll be quite happy. If you're doing more wood than that ( or may be in the future) I give strong consideration to the 261 (or a good used 261 or 261 pro) for it's lighter weight, better output and tougher design. Ditto for the 361, again in (more) routinely larger wood.

Any of these saws will serve you well and a lot of wood can be cut with the mid-grade saws, especially with sensible operating practices and diligent maintenance. That said, especially when used in good shape, the money can be similar between new mid-grade and used pro-saws, but the pro saws will stand up to more output, should you find cad and the outdoors calling your name more frequently. Quite honestly, if you think you're going to be cutting a lot, buy both of either series and always have the appropriate tool for the job. You can always buy pro saws later if/when you have the need/justification for them. I cut a lot of wood with a modded 039 and a modded 55 Husky before they burned up... I would make that choice again in a heartbeat if money was a concern. I do however, really like my MS261/372 setup, not what you're referencing or looking for, but I normally avg 22 cords/yr at least. Horsepower is addicting, beware...:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

I knew you wouldn't like that answer, lol. At least it doesn't have a stamped rod. That's where I draw the line.

My post was "self moderated", I deleted the first text I wrote - :hmm3grin2orange:

What I finally wrote is just the fact that we don't know enough about the use the POS, eh saw, is for! :msp_wink:

 

[SawTroll]

Not that I need to consider more choices, but now, I'm kinda liking that MS271.

About $90.00 more, and 5 more cc's to boot. Only about 2 lbs. heavier too.

Hmmmmmm...........

291 makes more sense, then....

...but I still don't understand why it has to be a homeowner class Stihl.....

 

[SawTroll]

If you're stuck on Stihl, look for a clean used 026 or 260. My dealer talked me into a 290 when I was looking for a 250. The 290 is a boat anchor, and the 250 is just a lighter, less powerful saw. The 311 replaces the 310 which was only a bit more powerful than the 290. I WISH they would have steered me towards a 260.

Also, the 311 is extremely heavy for its power, and an obvious avoid model - and that price is insane, for what it is.

 

[SawTroll]

Did you happen to see my thread about a Poulan 2150 WoodShark?

The MS 250 has more power, but it is about the same quality = not good at all.


Well OK, the Wild Thing may be a better comparison to the 250...

 

[Saw Dr.]

Wail until after the 1st of the year when all of the 290's are gone. The price of the 291 will come down then. It is probably a good saw to split the difference between the 250 and 311. 250's will go away sometime soon too. 251 is already out, though it does not seem to be in the US catalog yet. No sense in buying old-tech rubber a/v non strato if you can delay a short while and get the newer tech. Also, they will never make an M-tronic for any 1123 saws, but any of the newer models are game for it, be it as delivered or as a retrofit. Something to think on if you're keeping it for a while.

 

[D&B Mack]

The 250 is a good saw for the occasional use. If you are in hardwood, I think you will want the 16" Bar and chain though. They have a good ability to weight ratio. I personally would not look at the 311.

I do like the initial suggestion about about the dolmar though. The 510/5100s/5105 are much better saws for a similar price. I am mostly a stihl guy myself, but I have/do own several dolmars and they are very good saws for the money. But I know good Dolmar dealers are few and far between.

If you want to go in the size range of 311, I would look at Husqvarna instead. IMO, they have better homeowner saws at this range. The 455 rancher is a proven platform, and IMHO, better bang for the buck.

 

[tallguys]

If you are considering the MS250, I'd suggest at least taking a look at the Dolmar PS-420. Much nicer saw over all.

For occasional use the the MS250 will do just fine, though if I were stuck on getting a Stihl I'd seriously be looking for a nice used MS260. No comparison.

 

[D&B Mack]

If you are considering the MS250, I'd suggest at least taking a look at the Dolmar PS-420. Much nicer saw over all.

For occasional use the the MS250 will do just fine, though if I were stuck on getting a Stihl I'd seriously be looking for a nice used MS260. No comparison.

I guess I made the assumption, since he was looking for a homeowner saw, he may not want to wrench on a used saw and may want the warranty. Plus, buying used is risky and even more so if you are an inexperienced sawyer. But I agree with you, that's what you and I would do, but may not be right for the OP.

 

[H 2 H]

Last week I went and looked at 4 different brands of 40 cc saw's

Dolmar
Poulan
Tanaka
Stihl

The thing that got me was the pricing

Poulan $169
Tanaka $189
Stihl $299
Dolmar $449

 

[ancy]

Less than a year ago I bought a dusty new 5100 from a dealer for $375.

 

[H 2 H]

Less than a year ago I bought a dusty new 5100 from a dealer for $375.

What can I say; that was the price here in the PNW (Mt Vernon, Washington)

 

[1Alpha1]

I'd really rather not buy a used saw. I want a warranty with whatever saw I buy.

Unless you're lucky and happen to stumble upon a good used saw at a good price, to me, most used saws seem to be pretty high-priced, for the most part.

I've looked at E-Bay (which I'd never buy from) and the prices are ridiculous, and the bidders are many.

I'm in no real hurry to buy and money isn't an issue. I've sold some stuff on Craig's List and decided NOT TO BUY that Stihl FS250R line trimmer I was thinking of. I had money set aside for that trimmer, and now it's freed up for a saw.

I should just go out a buy an MS461 and be done with it.