I went and looked at saws real heavily today. I have been leaning toward the MS361 with the 20", infact I started a thread about the 361. Well the dealer had a MS460 there also............very nice!, not to heavy either. I'm used to using a old 031AV, which weighs in at 16lbs!:jawdrop: , that MS 460 is even lighter!. I currently use a 42cc crapsman with a 18" bar, I stall it constantly......just plain beat the liven crap out of it. The 031AV does good with the 16" bar, but its old and I just need a bigger saw for the big wood. So the question is do I move up to the MS361 with is 59cc, or move up to the 70cc MS460. I'm used to heavy saws, so the weight of the 460 is no big deal. I just don't want to end with to little saw. It will also see the 24-25" bar for cutting stumps and etc.
MS 361 or MS460
- Thread starter Outlaw5.0
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kevlar
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I really like both of those saws,depends what you are wanting it for the 361 will do a lot of work but the 460 can do more! My 460 is usually my go to saw only cause I run a 24 inch .404 bar and most of the wood I cut is 18-22 inch round.
Former Saw Builder
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Both very good choices, get either one and you will be happy.... I also love my MS 440 and the Dolmar 7900 it is the top of its class more HP and lighter then the rest in its class. all good in the wood 
opcorn:
opcorn:Well I cut 3 trees this year, two that buried the 18" crapsman with about 2-4 inches to go, the 1 big willow tree buried a guys 20" bar, that tree stalled my crapsman 3 times!. My 18" bar only went half way through it!. So I do see some healthy wood, I just want enough saw. My crapsman is getting down graded to a 16" bar for small jobs.
Former Saw Builder
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I understand....
SawTroll
Information Collector
Learn to cut from both sides when needed, use wedges, and don't put a longer bar on any saw, than they will pull with some authority - and even a 16" can be a bit much on some saws......
Almost seems like the MS460 will be a good saw, it comes with a 24" bar and can pull it very well from what I have been told. I could also get a 18 or 20" bar for when the big bar is not needed. Although there are some that feel the 361 will pull a 24" bar just fine also, but not with authority. Damn its a hard choice!.
Peacock
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Between those I'd say 460. WAYYYY more grunt. I've used a 361 quite a bit and would want more power. It just doesn't have the nuts to pull through hickory or oak with real authority with the bar buried.
If it was my choice I'd get 441 instead. I honestly can't really tell the difference in power between it and 460. It's way easier on fuel too.
If it was my choice I'd get 441 instead. I honestly can't really tell the difference in power between it and 460. It's way easier on fuel too.
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They had a 441 there, I just did not like the feel of it, plus the 460 has more power at the same weight. The 460 actually felt smaller...........maybe I'm screwed up.
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sILlogger
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if u don't mind the wieght and don't mind the bit of extra money you absolutely will not be disappointed with the MS460. what i have noticed to biggest thing that helped them further was to drill out the spot welds that hold the baffle into the muffler and reweld them shut...enlarge the muffler hole to around 9/16" and put on a dual port muffler (retune the carb of course). also i would put on the larger dual spikes and chain catcher froma full wrap version....if you are buying new they might swap them out before it leaves the store(my dealer did when i bought the 660) a while back. you will be happy with it
Peacock
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They had a 441 there, I just did like the feel of it, plus the 460 has more power at the same weight. The 460 actually felt smaller...........maybe I'm screwed up.
Cut with them if they'll let you. I had used both before I bought the 441. It was a no brainer to me.
The 441 has a little less torque. I bet it cuts just a fast though because the powerband seems a bit wider and it holds rpm a little better.
I've used a 28 and 20 bar on mine. It pulls either with authority.
THALL10326
The Champ
From the looks of that post your mind is set on the 460 so whatcha waiting on, go get it.......
kevlar
Addicted to ArboristSite
Exactly what he said!!!:chainsawguy:
1953greg
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THALL10326
The Champ
Cut with them if they'll let you. I had used both before I bought the 441. It was a no brainer to me.
The 441 has a little less torque. I bet it cuts just a fast though because the powerband seems a bit wider and it holds rpm a little better.
I've used a 28 and 20 bar on mine. It pulls either with authority.
With 20 inch bars on both the 441 and 460 the race is too close to call, in fact the 441 may inch out ahead. With real long bars, 30 or better the 460 kicks in with the torque. When it come to running them the 441 feels like a Caddliac, super smooth. I own both and the 046/460 plays second fiddle now, the 441 is just too smooth not to use.
BTW, pretty saw there!!
pbuehning
ArboristSite Operative
If you can swing the xtra $$$ for the 460 and the weight-go for it!!! I'd love to have one but just cant justify it for the couple times a year I'd need it. My 361 will pull the 25" w/skip chain just fine - no its not a torque monster, but let it eat and it gets the job done. With an 18" on it it is really happy and if you learn to overbuck and use a few wedges 25 to 30 is no problem. If big wood is a constant diet then spring for the 460. IMO, I was happier with the extra $200 in my pocket. Mod the 361 muffler and you'll be even happier. :hmm3grin2orange:
If you're gonna do allot of stumping - go big.
If you're gonna do allot of stumping - go big.
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Former Saw Builder
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I'm leaning more and more toward the 460, I used the old tank 031 with no problems for a long time up north from the time I was around 14 years old till now. I bought the 18" crapsman for home use. I look at as the 460 is lighter than the old 031, plus its more powerfull, its a win-win situation. I would love to use a modded 361 and a stock 460 to see the difference.
Lakeside53
Stihl Wrenching
JUSTIFICATION???? we don't need no stink'in justification.. you're on the wrong site buddy 
441 or 460. I chose the 441 cause of the simple fact that they are going to be around longer than the 460's will.
