Stihl MS271

[Spectre468]

What do you all think about this saw? I'm looking at one for general use. I have saws in the 30-35 cc and 56-64 cc range. I was thinking that this would be a good mid-range saw to add to my line up. I would use it when the little saws would be too small, but the task at hand doesn't require a bigger saw. I know my bigger saws are not truly BIG saws, but you get the point. This on would be mostly used for woods clean up around the property, mostly pinon pine less than 10" diameter. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and replies!

 

[bryanr2]

First, What other models do you have?

 

[missedbass]

Have mine for 2 years and its been great. No problems at all.

 

[cedarshark]

I have a MS280 and several 026s. I prefer the 026. Much easier to work on and better built.

 

[woodchipper95]

I have a MS280 and several 026s. I prefer the 026. Much easier to work on and better built.

Need to come to the husky side. Don't have much experience with the home/ranch saws but our farm has stihl saws and my personal saw is a husky. After I spent a whole day running huskys at my dealer I believe they they run better and feel better. Only thing I can not attest to is the husky durability since I haven't had one very long.

 

[Spectre468]

bryan, I have all stihls. ms180, 210, 029, 290, 360, 390.

 

[MS460WOODCHUCK]

I personally would sell the 029 and 290 and replace it with a 271 and have money left after buying the 271 for more chains, files, mix, bar oil or what ever. No need for them two saws with owning a 390.

 

[Hlakegollum]

Go with a 261.

 

[mike047]

Go with a 261.

I bought a new 261 several months ago and am actually disappointed in it. I have several old or rebuilt 026's that are far better performing saws.

 

[mopar3]

You could replace all of the smaller saws with a 261 or a maybe a 241. A 261 will out cut all of your saws except the 360 and 390. I have never ran a 390 personally. But I know a 261 is better than the 290.

 

[mopar3]

I bought a new 261 several months ago and am actually disappointed in it. I have several old or rebuilt 026's that are far better performing saws.

Did you retune the carb richer? How many tanks through it? My 261 is the favorite here. What are you comparing it to?

 

[nomad_archer]

I have a 271 and have had it for 2 years and I am happy with it once my expectations where set appropriately. I use it for personal firewood so it gets worked throughout the year but it does not get run for months at a time. It has kept me pretty happy it does a really nice job with a 16" bar and is acceptable in softer wood with a 20" bar. At the time I bought it fit my budget nicely and I am still happy with it. If you want a pro grade saw then get one but at least for me the 271 does a nice job and fit the budget. At some point I want a 70cc saw probably a 441 but for now I am happy with the 271.

 

[MS460WOODCHUCK]

You could replace all of the smaller saws with a 261 or a maybe a 241. A 261 will out cut all of your saws except maybe the 390. I have never ran a 390 personally. But I know a 261 is better than the 290.

The 360 running correctly and the 390 will out run a factory 261 from my experience. The 390 will pull a 25'' bar when needed and not do a bad job doing it. No the 390 is not a 441, 440, 460 or 461 but it will make the average firewood cutter a fine saw with a 25'' bar.

 

[Spectre468]

Thanks for the replies, please keep them coming. As for selling the smaller saws, my wife uses them, so that's a no go. The 271 would be a shared saw, sorta her big saw and my little saw.

 

[Spectre468]

The 360 running correctly and the 390 will out run a factory 261 from my experience. The 390 will pull a 25'' bar when needed and not do a bad job doing it. No the 390 is not a 441, 440, 460 or 461 but it will make the average firewood cutter a fine saw with a 25'' bar.

I'm running 20" bars with 33RS72 chains on the 360 and 390, seem to do what I need. What would I gain by going to a longer bar for either?

 

[MS460WOODCHUCK]

Thanks for the replies, please keep them coming. As for selling the smaller saws, my wife uses them, so that's a no go. The 271 would be a shared saw, sorta her big saw and my little saw.

If you were to replace the 029 and 290 with a 271 they would not be missed with you having the 390, 360 and 271 and you would be money ahead. How does your 360 compare in power vs the 290 and 390?

 

[Spectre468]

If you were to replace the 029 and 290 with a 271 they would not be missed with you having the 390, 360 and 271 and you would be money ahead. How does your 360 compare in power vs the 290 and 390?

The 360 falls right between the 290 and 390, leaning closer to the 390.

 

[MS460WOODCHUCK]

I'm guessing if you get the 271 it would be your new favorite saw with it being lighter than the 290 and the AV being more user friendly. My local Ace hardware/stihl dealer (not the dealer I buy my saws from because he won't deal on prices) swears that going to the whatever stihl has them go to to says that the 271 out ran the 290 in timed cuts both saws got 5 cuts each and the 271 had 3 cuts that out ran the 290s best time. This is what he said and I believe him because he is a good honest guy.

 

[SawTroll]

The 360 falls right between the 290 and 390, leaning closer to the 390.

Actually, the 360 should be stronger than the 390, despite less cc. It also is a pro saw, vs. cheaply made "homowner" saws, and lighter.

The MS271 is another cheaply made "homeowner" saw.

 

[AKDoug]

Why buy a 271? The 291 is the same chassis with a bit bigger engine. It actually weighs about 1 ounce lighter than the 271 too (I've weighed them). They are both about a pound lighter than the 290/029.

From the list you gave, a 251 or a 241 would be a better fit.