Stihl ms250 bar narrower at sprocket end?

[BullCreek]

I just got a new, stock Stihl 16" bar instead of the stock 18" and it is narrower/maybe bent in on the sprocket end. Chain grabs a good bit there but glides effortlessy around the rest of the bar. Also about half the paint along the top of the 'rails' is chipped off. The bar did come out of its cardboard sleeve inside the box it was shipped in. The bar seems otherwise new to me. What do you folks think? Is it used? Should I return it? Thank you and hello.

Also if anyone has any comments, that have not been posted in another thread, about using a "3/8" Stihl Picco .050 gauge" in 18", 16", 14" or 12" on the 3 horse plastic case ms250 or other similar saws I'd love to hear them.

P.S. I am literally in the middle of 'trapping' Central Texas attic Raccoons. No BS!

 

[farmer steve]

Welcome to AS. Sounds used with the paint chipped off. I run the 3/8P on my 250 with no issues.
Good luck with the coons.

 

[Mike Kunte]

I just got a new, stock Stihl 16" bar instead of the stock 18" and it is narrower/maybe bent in on the sprocket end. Chain grabs a good bit there but glides effortlessy around the rest of the bar. Also about half the paint along the top of the 'rails' is chipped off. The bar did come out of its cardboard sleeve inside the box it was shipped in. The bar seems otherwise new to me. What do you folks think? Is it used? Should I return it? Thank you and hello.

Also if anyone has any comments, that have not been posted in another thread, about using a "3/8" Stihl Picco .050 gauge" in 18", 16", 14" or 12" on the 3 horse plastic case ms250 or other similar saws I'd love to hear them.

P.S. I am literally in the middle of 'trapping' Central Texas attic Raccoons. No BS!

Hey BC!

Welcome to AS! You said it's new - in that case I would return it for exchange. A slight pinch is probably not too serious, and you could pry the groove open a bit. But it's best not to have the chain catch anywhere along the groove - it can cause premature wear on your drive links... I'm assuming that the bar is properly matched to the chain, i.e. .050 bar and .050 chain, or .063 bar with .063 chain. The specs should be stamped into the bar close to the clamping point... If unsure, post some pics!

Sorry I can't comment on the second part of your post...

Hope this helps,

Mike

 

[MACHINE]

Put a .250 bar and chain on it.

You won't believe how fast it cuts .

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[toadman]

I got a new bar for my 193t with zero paint (besides slight overspray) on the rails where the chain rides, straight out of the shipping carton from Stihl. Pallet hadn't even been un- plastic wrapped yet... all my larger Stihl bars have had paint/primer on the rails that always wears off on the first cut.
a pinch spot is never good...
as far as 3/8" picco chain, it's the best thing I've done to a 250...