Stihl 400c or 462c

[Stump Shot]

You say that like it’s a bad thing?

IKR, that's just what we call a double date in Wisconsin. LOL

 

[Dustin4185]

There’s a nice one in the classifieds… that would be coming my way had I not just picked up a cherry MMWS 461 from a friend on here.

I still have one NIB in my garage. When I found out they were going away, I grabbed it up. My MMWS 461 is probably my favorite saw to run in my fleet.

 

[Dustin4185]

I have access to both saws. I have a v1 462 and we have a new 400 at work. Both are stock. As of now, I still like my 462 better. I keep a 20” on mine for firewood, but used a 24” on a week long mission trip in LA doing cleanup work after a hurricane. It never let me down cutting some big live oaks. Did I want a bigger saw for some of them, yes. Did it get the job done without any issues, yes. I don’t see me picking up a 400 for myself, it just hasn’t impressed me much yet. I currently have a 261, 362, 461, and 395 all ported by Randy. He has my 500i at his place now. I also have stock 241, 440, 462 and 661. I’m not sure the differences in power between V1 and V2 462, but I would lean that way if money wasn’t an issue. I would do it for the metal handle if nothing else, lol. I will probably sell my 462 and 362 to get a V2 462 and have it ported by Randy in the near future. I’m not wasting money on the V1 to have it come apart on me!

 

[Rich Fife]

My MMWS 461 is probably my favorite saw to run in my fleet.

A good ported 461 is hard to beat.

 

[Rich Fife]

Never been a fan of the 462s. I can't imagine the v2s being much different... but, until I try one... its a for me. I'll stick with a ported 400 and a 461.

 

[Lions fan]

Never been a fan of the 462s. I can't imagine the v2s being much different... but, until I try one... its a for me. I'll stick with a ported 400 and a 461.

How can it be a thumbs down until you've tried one?

 

[Rich Fife]

How can it be a thumbs down until you've tried one?

Because the V1 was so bad in the torque department that it skewed my view on that model. Now the V2 will have to be impressive in-order for me to give a .

 

[wap13]

Didnt see it mentioned here and may not be relevant to the OP but...

I always keep a saw in a stihl case in the back of my truck. A 400 will fit in said stihl case, a 462 will not. So a 261 or 400 lives in my truck and the bigger saws stay in my shop until I need them.

 

[creek chub]

I have access to both saws. I have a v1 462 and we have a new 400 at work. Both are stock. As of now, I still like my 462 better. I keep a 20” on mine for firewood, but used a 24” on a week long mission trip in LA doing cleanup work after a hurricane. It never let me down cutting some big live oaks. Did I want a bigger saw for some of them, yes. Did it get the job done without any issues, yes. I don’t see me picking up a 400 for myself, it just hasn’t impressed me much yet. I currently have a 261, 362, 461, and 395 all ported by Randy. He has my 500i at his place now. I also have stock 241, 440, 462 and 661. I’m not sure the differences in power between V1 and V2 462, but I would lean that way if money wasn’t an issue. I would do it for the metal handle if nothing else, lol. I will probably sell my 462 and 362 to get a V2 462 and have it ported by Randy in the near future. I’m not wasting money on the V1 to have it come apart on me!

Which saw do you think pulls the chain faster with a 20” bar in hardwood? I’ll probably run the 20” most of the time. Eventually I’ll get it ported but will need to saw a month or two before sending it off.

 

[farminkarman]

Which saw do you think pulls the chain faster with a 20” bar in hardwood? I’ll probably run the 20” most of the time. Eventually I’ll get it ported but will need to saw a month or two before sending it off.

Stock vs. stock, the 462 will be quicker than the 400 with a 20”. Not necessarily the case after they are ported

 

[Dustin4185]

Which saw do you think pulls the chain faster with a 20” bar in hardwood? I’ll probably run the 20” most of the time. Eventually I’ll get it ported but will need to saw a month or two before sending it off.

I would have to really run the 400 with the 462. I can do that tomorrow. I feel the 462 would be the winner, but not sure.

 

[Dustin4185]

Didnt see it mentioned here and may not be relevant to the OP but...

I always keep a saw in a stihl case in the back of my truck. A 400 will fit in said stihl case, a 462 will not. So a 261 or 400 lives in my truck and the bigger saws stay in my shop until I need them.

My 462 rides in Stihl case just fine. Unless something changed when they went to the new version, it should fit.

 

[Dustin4185]

A good ported 461 is hard to beat.

Yep, glad I squirreled another one away before they weren’t available.

 

[Dustin4185]

Never been a fan of the 462s. I can't imagine the v2s being much different... but, until I try one... it’s a for me. I'll stick with a ported 400 and a 461.

I’ve never ran either one ported. Stock, I feel the 462 V1 is a much better all around saw. Maybe this 400 will wake up with some run time, but for now, it’s not impressive.

 

[drf256]

I personally haven’t had a good 400 outrun a good 462. Ain’t much size or weight difference.

The version 1 462 piston issue is annoying though. Apparently the mag pistons were created because they will not ever transfer to the Nikasil like an aluminum one will. One of the members here is a Stihl tech and went to the meeting in Virginia Beach. He told me the main reason for the Mag pistons was this. The weight reduction for the same crank as the 362 certainly doesn’t hurt the situation. He told me that they pulled a completely scored Mag piston ot of a saw they purposely leaned the shít out of and the jug looked brand new. Zero issues with the plating.

 

[pavel408]

Interesting. So the idea to "save cylinders" is behind introduction of Magnesium piston. What idea is now behind abandoning these in MS 400.1?

 

[Woodpecker]

A ported 241c and non ported 261

If you’re planning on buying a 90cc size saw in the future I’d go 400. But if you’re planning on this saw being your “big” saw in a 3 saw lineup, I’d go with the 462.

 

[wap13]

My 462 rides in Stihl case just fine. Unless something changed when they went to the new version, it should fit.

I will have to go double check mine again. I have a buddy who's 462 wont fit in his case either but pretty sure he has the latest version. Interesting......

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Interesting. So the idea to "save cylinders" is behind introduction of Magnesium piston. What idea is now behind abandoning these in MS 400.1?

I’m sure it’s to save some cost on the saw to make it easier to price somewhere in the middle of the 362/400 since it’s replacing both. In my thinking they are going to try and price it in the middle of the current saws. More than a 362 but less than current 400, weight and saving cylinders were both reasons behind it but unless it blows under warranty Stihl could care less if they need to sell you a cylinder so going back to aluminum to make the saw more cost effective is no an issue for them.

 

[Stump Shot]

Interesting. So the idea to "save cylinders" is behind introduction of Magnesium piston. What idea is now behind abandoning these in MS 400.1?

Parts and new saw sales.