Stihl MS362 C-M

I don't have experience with the 362, but I have the predecessor, the 361. It is a well balanced saw. I've owned a 660 and a 390, and I've used a 441 Magnum a good bit. The 441 is my favorite, with the 361 coming in close second.

I heat 99% with wood and spend a lot of time cutting wood. 10 years ago I bought a new Farm Boss like a MS250 something. It cut a lot of wood but I always wanted a faster saw. 3 years ago my son was 16 and sick of loading wood while I did all the cutting so I started saw shopping. Found a small dealer about 20 miles from home that let me cut with a bunch of saws. I liked the 362 the best. Good power, revs fast and feels the best in my hands. On the same log with new chains I can cut almost twice as fast as my son using the little saw. I lucked out and found one on CL close to home that a guy in the Army home on leave bought to cut one tree down in his back yard. Still had all the paint on the bar. If I need a bigger saw then my 362 I will leave the wood lay and find something easier to cut.

Big difference between the backyard home user and forestry type saws.
Stihl isnt my favorite, but you cant deny the quality of them. Im sure you will be happy with it.

RCW said:

Been looking at one.

Anybody used one?

I have a Stihl 046 Magnum - great saw in great shape. Run a 20" bar, with 24" if needed. Also a Stihl MS211 I got a few years ago, for a little saw. Leaks bar oil like a sieve. Got it used - guess a lot of them do that.
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I see Aeronutt runs a 660, this probably looks like small potatoes to him!!

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No, I wouldn't consider a 362 small potatoes.

For non-commercial harvesting, the 362 is all the saw you'd ever need. Since you have an old 046, you've already experienced the older machines. The newer ones are generally easier to start, better power to weight ratio, and easier to hold. As a general rule, move the leading zero to the end and you have the equivalent new model number, then change the zero to a one or two and you get the lower emissions EPA friendly models. This isn't a firm rule across the board, but it works for most cases. For example: 046 became the 460 and then the 461. The changes they made were pretty minor, so don't think that your 046 is obsolete by any means and it's got the grunt to pull a 25 inch chain. If you get the 362, I would recommend using the 18 inch bar for better handling and pull out the 046 for anything that requires more length.

I also have an MS211 for trim work and it's unmistakably a "homeowner" grade saw. Mine also leaks all the bar oil out so I've learned to park it empty. I guess that's part of the cheapening required to make a homeowner grade saw. The 660 uses a much better quality oiling mechanism that doesn't leak. The 362 should also have the better quality oiler. I love having the 211 because the weight of a 660 gets old really fast if you're cutting limbs smaller than 10 inches and forget about doing any kind of overhead work unless you're built like Dwayne Johnson (aka: The Rock). I generally only reach for the 660 if I'm doing the initial felling cut or blocking firewood from a 12 inch or larger log. I put it down and switch to the 211 or even the old 017 for cleaning up the limbs. I had a MS290 "Farm Boss" for a while and it was just big enough to make you think it was big, but not big enough to compete with the true professional machines. It was also small enough to feel comfortable trimming and limbing for a while. It would wear me out after a few hours though. That's why I prefer having 2 saws on opposite ends of the spectrum now rather than a single saw that's halfway in the middle.

I have the MS241 C M...for my small saw...that thing is a beast for its size. I like the self adjusting carb because I take it up in the hills (essentially from sea level to over 7000'). That removes the hassle of tweaking the carb every time I move it.

You should be good with the larger version...use synthetic oil mix to double the warranty...

Reach isn't a problem for me. I'd have to look up to see your neck. I suggested the 18 inch blade more for balance and weight than any concern for being able to pull a longer chain. That saw would have no problem pulling a 20 or even 25 inch chain if that's what you want to use for extra reach. As a shorter person, I find that any bar length that isn't required for the task at hand is just extra weight to swing around. My preferred bar length is only 16 inches for most normal work. If I need more than that, I also need the extra horsepower of the BIG saw so I grab the 660 with a 25 or 36 inch bar. Another reason to choose a shorter bar is to avoid having the tip dig into stuff beyond the log I'm sawing when the bucking teeth are up tight against the log. Considering the relatively low cost of a spare bar and chain, it's not bad to have a few different lengths on hand to match whatever work you're doing. I can change them out in under 2 minutes. It really comes down to whatever you are more comfortable operating.

RCW said:

Wow - now I'm conflicted.

Stopped at another friend's sporting goods store this afternoon to get some ammo.

Got looking at a Remington 700 - 25-06, 270, or 30-06? Always wanted a 25-06.....

I have an older 700 Varmint Special .22-250 - best woodchuck shot is 575 yards. Used to get ~100 of 'em a year. Now we have coyotes again, and not many woodchucks.

Torn - can't have both...........

Wise choice is neither, if I were to ask "The Boss"!

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Sounds like we have similar bosses

Bought a 362 cm last year to replace an older saw about the same size. It has lots of power, starts easy, and seems better on fuel than my old saw. There's no choke or fuel mixture screws to deal with, and seems well built. Would definitely recommend one, there seems to be some updates on the newest version as well.

I traded in a 261 for a 362. I, too, had a 361 some years back and the 362 is even better. Its my go to, and smallest, saw.

The 261 is a nice unit but I wanted just a little more ommph running a 16" bar which is also what I use to make my cut measurements. My next size up is a 441 and I'm toying with grabbing a 661. Should have all my bases covered then.

We heat with wood in a woodstove and insert so all my wood is cut around 15" and split.

RCW said:

...did I see a primer bulb on the 461 and 661?

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I doubt it. Neither my 660 or my friend's 661 have primers. Just the traditional choke setting with the thumb lever. I did notice that his 661 feels like it has more compression. It takes a pretty good yank to pull it over. Maybe that's just because his is newer...

85Hokie said:

Buy the saw.....think of all the money you save buy cutting your own wood faster.....
money saved = new gun. (Try that story with the better half....or better yet, freeze her one winter!)

Ok- I do NOT live in the perfect world

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I'll play the devil's advocate. Elections are around the corner, Hildabeast will most certainly go after the 2nd Amendment if she gets elected, and I don't trust the Don's intentions- he lies too easily. So, by this time next year, buying a gun may be more expensive or more difficult. But, neither one of them are going after chainsaws....