MS 270, 290, or 260 Pro??

[oscar4883]

Of the three mentioned in the title the 290 will work just fine and has a nice price too.

 

[SawTroll]

Dealer? He may have bought it from a big box store, thats the problem with selling 'em that way- no customer training or service of any kind.

Sure he may have done that, but he hasn't said anything about it.....

 

[sunfish]

Somthing's wrong with your 455.... Just fix it.... New chain? New bar?

Any of the saws you listed will work fine, but you can do better

For the record, 346xp cost less here than a MS260.

 

[SawTroll]

IMO, I would go with the 270. It's about $100 less than the 260pro and its basically a darn pro saw. :chainsawguy:

No, it isn't - but sure it is better than some of their other non-pro saws!

 

[sunfish]

If you are stuck on Stihl, I'd get the 260, or better yet a 361.

 

[SawTroll]

I actually never stated an opinion on Huskys one way or the other. The chain will not stay tight even with 30+ ft lbs of torque on the nuts...and chains don't stretch enough to have to be tightened mult times per use every single time you use it. I also have almost no dealer support for Husky in my area, just box stores, the one dealer for Husky in my area looks like a junkyard to be honest. I repair/rebuild all my own motors (4 stroke, 2 stroke, etc) so ease of maint is a must...can't remember the last time I hired out anything.

Thanks kindly for all the suggestions, please keep them coming!...

Is that saw still under warranty?

If so, take it back anyway - something isn't right! I don
't care for the model, but it sure isn't junk!

 

[SawTroll]

Somthing's wrong with your 455.... Just fix it.... New chain? New bar?

Any of the saws you listed will work fine, but you can do better

For the record, 346xp cost less here than a MS260.

I suspected that - here it costs a lot more, but it is well worth the difference, imo!

However, as his dealer situation is as it is, I can understand why he wants a Stihl.

 

[7sleeper]

Is that saw still under warranty?

If so, take it back anyway - something isn't right! I don
't care for the model, but it sure isn't junk!

Excellent advice!

7

 

[chopperfreak2k1]

one more vote for the 260 PRO. great little saw very light and nimble, easy to work on, and will handle your cutting needs. if you need a boost in power, a muffler mod really wakes this saw up!

 

[Wizz]

First I would like to thank EVERYONE for their advice...it was all taken into consideration. I did indeed return/refund the 455R. I was very interested in the Husky 346 but no respectable dealer support for Husky around these parts so I had to rule it out unfortunately. I just got back from the Stihl dealer by me that happens to be an Elite level dealer. They took care of me on an MS 280, they swapped in an 18" bar with a non-safety chain and tuned the saw, saw was rung up below retail, sold me a case for cost (since there was no case promo at the time), and he threw in some HP Ultra. So for $89 more I was able to go from a 455R to an MS 280 and the dealer support that goes with it, I'm very satisfied. They are straight shooters and very customer oriented is why I like dealing with that dealer, the other dealer across town is more service instead of customer oriented (their service dept makes them their money). I look forward to searching this site and learning a lot from you guys, thanks again!

 

[7sleeper]

Congratulation to your interesting buy.

Not on my list but lets hear and see some pics how you use&like it. It is not a mega seller and we seldom see&hear from them here at AS.

Good luck and don't forget ppe!

7

 

[climber96]

get a 260pro

 

[Garman]

Good choice on the MS 280. That is a solid saw. And congrats on getting a good Stihl dealer who will knock a little of the price and give excellent service when needed. I really like my Stihl dealer. I have bought a blower and trimmer from him over the last 5 years and all the accessories I have needed, but I have never gotten any kind of a discount from him. When I was shopping for a saw a month ago, I went to see him about the MS270 and MS280, I couldn't even get a free case or discount from him! lol I finally purchased my mint MS270 from fleabay and saved $150 from his price.....and it included the case My dealer's price on the shelve is what it is. Anyway, I still like them very much!

Enjoy your saw!

 

[sunfish]

I least ya went with a real chainsaw dealer! Good on ya!

 

[2000ssm6]

Congrats, I'd sprung for the 260 but the 280s are nice too. The power should not be that far off, if any from the 290.

 

[wvlogger]

good saw them 280's are

 

[dieselscout80]

good saw them 280's are

I know I like mine a bunch!

 

[Saskabush]

I'd like to read a reasoned argument why the 280 and 270 are not "pro" saws.

 

[SawTroll]

I'd like to read a reasoned argument why the 280 and 270 are not "pro" saws.

First of all - Stihl doesn't rate them as pro saws.

Next, the way the saws are built are not consitent with pro saws, and power to weight ratios are not high enough.