Upgrade from 041AV - MS461/MS462?

[carolinacummins]

Hi all,

My wife and I are purchasing roughly 75 acres to build a house on and there is quite a bit of wood to be cut. Ran a saw most of my adult life - parents have 2 OWB so no expert but pretty handy with a saw. Even though I love it, I'm looking to upgrade from my old 041AV - something lighter for sure. More HP never hurts either. Originally I was looking at a MS362, but after some research and measuring looks like I want to be able to run a 25-28" bar, would probably use 20/25" most. My top two contenders now are either a MS461 or MS462. Local dealer has MS461 w/20" for roughly $1100 and most local dealers are closer to $1200 for MS462 w/20". Also open to used. On that note something about this supposedly MS461 is off? Did someone put a 461 recoil starter on a MS391? I did find a dealer listing for a 2020 MS461 with that newer style top cover? If this is a legit MS461 $650 would be a deal.

Any advice/thoughts are welcome.

Thanks

 

[Woodslasher]

That’s a 391 with a 461 tag.

 

[carolinacummins]

That’s a 391 with a 461 tag.

Thanks, what I figured.

 

[Trailsawyer]

If you are looking for more power and less weight, the 462 is the choice, about a half pound lighter. The 462R is a couple ounces heavier than your 41, and the 461 is a little over a pound heavier. They are all good choices! I really like my 462R!

 

[carolinacummins]

Thanks! I feel like I would be happy with either. Price wise locally they are too close for that to be a deciding factor.

Prob end up with a MS170 or MS211 as well for limbing.

 

[sled_22]

I just bought a 462 on friday and I cut a cord of wood with it Saturday. You'd have to pry it from my cold dead hands before making me switch saws at this point. I'm very happy with it. 28 light bar with full chisel buried in a 34" dry ash tree had me smiling all day sunday.
Good luck with your purchase.

 

[carolinacummins]

Calling around today. Found a dealer with 462 w/25" for $1059. Would rather do that. I have plenty of 20" bars

 

[Jasent]

I love my 461. Have not run a 462. Yet.
Pic is definitely a 391, heavy saw for the power.
With a few mods the 170 has turned out to be a great little saw.

 

[stihl86]

Thanks! I feel like I would be happy with either. Price wise locally they are too close for that to be a deciding factor.

Prob end up with a MS170 or MS211 as well for limbing.

I'd sort of lean toward the 462. As for the little guys, see if they have any MS250 left.
Its a lot more saw than the other 2. A lot more. IMO

 

[Vanguard]

I'd go NEW since Stihl doubles your warranty if you purchase a six pack of HP Ultra with each saw. That would give you two years on a Pro Saw for personal use only.

I have both a 462 R C-M and a 261 C-M. The 362 is within a pound of the 462, and I've always found myself wanting more power or less weight with a 60cc saw.

The 462 runs a 28" bar with no issues, and my 261 does the same with a 20" bar. Both saws rip in wood much larger than the bars I use.

If you were planning on modding a saw after warranty, the 461 would probably be the way to go from everything I've seen. Also, if you get a 2nd smaller saw, spend the extra $100 or so and get the 261. If you want to modd it after warranty as well, Stihl makes one with out M-Tronic. I've read and seen some people modding M-Tronic versions, but it seems it's still in the development phases still.

Otherwise, M-Tronic 462 and 261 fires up every time, and cuts consistently throughout the day. It doesn't get any easier. The power to weight ratio for these saws are hard to beat as well.

 

[carolinacummins]

Thanks for all the great replies. Definitely leaning towards the 462, not too interested in modding for now. If I want to tinker I'll still have the 041AV and a ton of parts, enough to make it a Super if I wanted.
Prob stick with MS170 for the smaller saw, they can be had for less than $200 around here, my dad and FIL both have them and we've been happy so far. Will save up my pennies for a MS250 or 261 next year.

 

[MaddBomber]

Definitely go 462c/r. Trust me, you won't regret it. 60cc weight with 75cc power. She'll really wake up after 5 or 10 tanks. Just upgrade the anemic dawgs and open the muffler a bit.
Stihl really outcompeted themselves. The 462 makes the 362 pointless. And the 362 is an awesome saw!
Enjoy!

 

[stihl86]

Stihl had a promo on 250's. It might have been a close-out.
It may not be around next year,
But that's only my opinion.

 

[carolinacummins]

Headed to dealer in the morning to hopefully purchase 462, most dealers didn't have any in stock. Luckily shop that does also has best price - beat most others by ~ $80

 

[Vanguard]

Headed to dealer in the morning to hopefully purchase 462, most dealers didn't have any in stock. Luckily shop that does also has best price - beat most others by ~ $80

See if Stihl is continuing to double warranty when buying a 6 pack of HP Ultra. That's 2 years for personal use.

 

[sled_22]

See if Stihl is continuing to double warranty when buying a 6 pack of HP Ultra. That's 2 years for personal use.

They still offered it a week ago when I picked up my 462.

 

[Jasent]

The 462 just makes me nervous. I don’t like that fresh air induction

 

[Harmon]

Do not worry - it is field tested and mother approved. Just make sure your fuel source is reliable.

 

[Tin-knocker]

Get the 462 with a 28” bar. And then if you have a 20” bar for your 041 use it on the 462. That’s what I did with mine.

 

[Harmon]

I never understood why if your going to spend $1000 or more on a saw a dealer wouldn't just throw in whatever size bar you wanted, or none at all if you wanted a powerhead only. I picked up a 461 back in October (was inches away from getting a 462) and had a 20"/24"/28" bar hanging on my garage wall but they would not sell me PHO! I didn't even get a hat!