$1000 to spend on a new saw.

[EastKYMike]

A grand to spend on a new saw. Looking at 2 specifically
Stihl MS400C-M - I like all the specs just not sure about the magnesium piston and how it will hold up over time & rebuild costs when time comes.

Redmax GZ7100. From what I’ve read this is a husky 372xp in red. Would weigh just over a pound more than the Stihl and 5cc bigger displacement.

Both will have 24/25” bar. The Stihl is more modern tech and the Redmax would be more old school, little heavier. Would the weight difference be noticeable?

Just sold my 362CM, & have these other saws already
550xp-18”

562xp-20”

572xp-24”

Redmax gz5000-18”

 

[Squareground3691]

A grand to spend on a new saw. Looking at 2 specifically
Stihl MS400C-M - I like all the specs just not sure about the magnesium piston and how it will hold up over time & rebuild costs when time comes.

Redmax GZ7100. From what I’ve read this is a husky 372xp in red. Would weigh just over a pound more than the Stihl and 5cc bigger displacement.

Both will have 24/25” bar. The Stihl is more modern tech and the Redmax would be more old school, little heavier. Would the weight difference be noticeable?

Just sold my 362CM, & have these other saws already
550xp-18”

562xp-20”

572xp-24”

Redmax gz5000-18”

Anything wrong with the 3 Huskies you have? seems pretty good coverage?

 

[Duce]

A grand to spend on a new saw. Looking at 2 specifically
Stihl MS400C-M - I like all the specs just not sure about the magnesium piston and how it will hold up over time & rebuild costs when time comes.

Redmax GZ7100. From what I’ve read this is a husky 372xp in red. Would weigh just over a pound more than the Stihl and 5cc bigger displacement.

Both will have 24/25” bar. The Stihl is more modern tech and the Redmax would be more old school, little heavier. Would the weight difference be noticeable?

Just sold my 362CM, & have these other saws already
550xp-18”

562xp-20”

572xp-24”

Redmax gz5000-18”

You have the 70cc 372 covered with your 572. Just purchased a ported MS 400. Sold the 572.

 

[Nutball]

Anything wrong with the 3 Huskies you have? seems pretty good coverage?

I know, right. Either get a top handle saw, or sell the 562 and buy a 90cc.

I don't bother with 60cc saws. 25-35cc top handle, 50cc, and 90cc does it for me. I have a 24" on the 550 mostly for easy reach, but it pulls it with a muffler mod and 3/8 chain.

 

[EastKYMike]

Just got an itch for a different saw, all the husky’s are great. No issues, don’t need a saw at all , lol, just love buying/using tools. It’s silly I know, I don’t golf, hunt, ride Harleys, collect muscle cars etc. I guess tools are my weakness

 

[jacob j.]

If it's just for kicks, the MS-400 is going to have the highest "fun" factor. The Redmax isn't going to do anything that your 572 can't and won't feel that much different.

 

[Stump Shot]

A grand to spend on a new saw. Looking at 2 specifically
Stihl MS400C-M - I like all the specs just not sure about the magnesium piston and how it will hold up over time & rebuild costs when time comes.

Redmax GZ7100. From what I’ve read this is a husky 372xp in red. Would weigh just over a pound more than the Stihl and 5cc bigger displacement.

Both will have 24/25” bar. The Stihl is more modern tech and the Redmax would be more old school, little heavier. Would the weight difference be noticeable?

Just sold my 362CM, & have these other saws already
550xp-18”

562xp-20”

572xp-24”

Redmax gz5000-18”

How about getting a real OE 372xp from NightRogue. I just got one in from him for a fella to port and she's a beaut!
https://opeforum.com/threads/nib-no...-ms381-382-ms660-ms070-720-echo-cs1201.15008/

 

[ManiacalMark]

I’d go for the 400 since you lineup is 50-70cc, or get something over 70cc but I’ve sold all my older 80-90cc stuff because there’s nothing I’ll cut where I’ll need a bar over 36” anytime soon.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

The MS 400 is a riot! STIHL calls it a Pro saw but lists it outside that category on their website and brochures; I'm guessing it won't last quite as long as a Pro saw, something more toward the lifespan of woods ported saw. @Stump Shot said they really pick up power when ported...

It's also easy to start without using decompression, super easy with. The one I ran (@julie wolf's) is a fuel hog, but it's also in the initial break-in period so that could improve along with the power output. So far it's been a well-balanced chip ripper.

 

[ManiacalMark]

You realize it’s a big bore 362 basically?

 

[sawmikaze]

If it's just for kicks, the MS-400 is going to have the highest "fun" factor. The Redmax isn't going to do anything that your 572 can't and won't feel that much different.

Keeping an eye out for those Tears for Fears/INXS tickets in Portland you might have for sale is one of the only reasons I come back on the internet.

I read things that just make me stare at the screen and think to myself all the times I thought I was retarded it wasn't really that bad after all.

 

[sawmikaze]

The MS 400 is a riot! STIHL calls it a Pro saw but lists it outside that category on their website and brochures; I'm guessing it won't last quite as long as a Pro saw, something more toward the lifespan of woods ported saw. @Stump Shot said they really pick up power when ported...

It's also easy to start without using decompression, super easy with. The one I ran (@julie wolf's) is a fuel hog, but it's also in the initial break-in period so that could improve along with the power output. So far it's been a well-balanced chip ripper.

Why wouldn't a 400 last as long as a pro saw ?

It is a pro saw.

 

[Funky sawman]

If it's just for kicks, the MS-400 is going to have the highest "fun" factor. The Redmax isn't going to do anything that your 572 can't and won't feel that much different.

Yep, JJ couldn't have said it better

 

[srcarr52]

With the HLS current sale you can get a 395 to your door for about $1k.

 

[Nutball]

Just got an itch for a different saw, all the husky’s are great. No issues, don’t need a saw at all , lol, just love buying/using tools. It’s silly I know, I don’t golf, hunt, ride Harleys, collect muscle cars etc. I guess tools are my weakness

Maybe get a hand saw this time, something fancy from Tuatahi

I’d go for the 400 since you lineup is 50-70cc, or get something over 70cc but I’ve sold all my older 80-90cc stuff because there’s nothing I’ll cut where I’ll need a bar over 36” anytime soon.

My ported 660 usually wears a 16" for general firewood use running a .325 9t rim. I'll upgrade to a 20" when it's time. I like the 90cc for the speed. I used to always use a 2188 with 20" bar.

With the HLS current sale you can get a 395 to your door for about $1k.

Or even a 390.

 

[Eduardo K]

With the HLS current sale you can get a 395 to your door for about $1k.

That’s what I was thinking, but I think that sale is over.
(I’ve been fighting the urge to buy a 395 for months)

 

[ManiacalMark]

Maybe get a hand saw this time, something fancy from Tuatahi

My ported 660 usually wears a 16" for general firewood use running a .325 9t rim. I'll upgrade to a 20" when it's time. I like the 90cc for the speed. I used to always use a 2188 with 20" bar.


Or even a 390.

I used to cut logs with an 064/066 all the time for stump power with a 20” or 24”, now I think it’s pointless. Heavier and more stops to fill the tanks, 70cc saws feel relatively small and easy to sling around, arms aren’t 5ft long at the end of the day.

 

[thompsoncustom]

Maybe get a hand saw this time, something fancy from Tuatahi

My ported 660 usually wears a 16" for general firewood use running a .325 9t rim. I'll upgrade to a 20" when it's time. I like the 90cc for the speed. I used to always use a 2188 with 20" bar.


Or even a 390.

I used to cut logs with an 064/066 all the time for stump power with a 20” or 24”, now I think it’s pointless. Heavier and more stops to fill the tanks, 70cc saws feel relatively small and easy to sling around, arms aren’t 5ft long at the end of the day.

This is what I do with my clone 660 but it wears a 24in bar and a expansion chamber but the weight is worth the speed to me and it's only job is to cut straight logs into splitable sizes which it does lightening fast wouldn't be much good for anything else with the pipe hanging off it. All for under 1000 tho.

 

[Funky sawman]

This is what I do with my clone 660 but it wears a 24in bar and a expansion chamber but the weight is worth the speed to me and it's only job is to cut straight logs into splitable sizes which it does lightening fast wouldn't be much good for anything else with the pipe hanging off it. All for under 1000 tho.

The epa and DEQ would lock me up for running a tune pipe in the woods around here!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Why wouldn't a 400 last as long as a pro saw ?

It is a pro saw.

If you go to https://www.stihlusa.com/ and click Professional - Chainsaws the MS 400 won't be listed there.

If you go instead to Products - Chainsaws - MS 400 you'll find it, and the link is:

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/

professional-saws/ms400/
which is why I said they like to call it a professional saw but don't list it as one.

If you look at the STIHL Chain Saw Comparison Chart (attached) it's listed under Larger Woodcutting Jobs, not in the Professional section.

You realize it’s a big bore 362 basically?

This is the reason I keep hearing. The muffler is pretty much uncorked and it's loud, like a race saw. The light magnesium piston allows it to rev high with less stress on be bearings due to less weight, and it goes like stink. Whether or not STIHL beefed up the internals and bearings to support the larger piston and higher revs is a question for the builders.

In Engineer School there's a saying: Speed kills. Maybe that applies here, it shortens the lifespan of the saw. Maybe--I do not know. I would guess STIHL had the saw prototype on the dyno and tested the snot out of it until it broke, made changes, then re-tested until STIHL made "the best saw for the money, within reason," according to their internal set of goals/guidelines (whatever those are).

That's my thinking, though the real people to ask work at STIHL--so I just sent them an e-mail asking them.