Oh ya,... price quoted was $369, included fuel fill-up, chain lube fill-up, 20" bar already mounted, and an extra Stihl chain ($32 value).

The 290 and 390 are virtually identical except for displacement and power so the 390 has a better power to weight ratio. Sounds like the smaller saws would meet your needs except for the large maple. Is it worth buying a bigger heavier saw for a one shot deal? Can you rent or borrow a larger saw to deal with it?

canguy- Thanks for reply. Never considered renting or borrowing,...thought it was taboo to share equipment, especially saws? I would like to cut firewood as well. The 290 does seem heavy but when fired up, I was impressed.

Agreed with canguy. A rental yard rental for the one big job makes more sense and get the 250 for the rest of your routine needs. In my opinion the 180 is puke, to lite duty for anything but a once or twice a year lite trimming.

The ms250 can cut some big stuff, just takes a little longer. It has 3hp vs 3.75 for the ms290, but the ms 250 weight around 10lbs vs 13 lbs for the ms290. I helped my dad clean up a fallen branch from a huge maple tree. I have an 18 inch bar on my ms250 and the size of the branches were a little wider than my bar. I took my time and the saw didn't have any problems.

Thanks for the replies. The MS 250 seems to be a good chainsaw,... but with the MS 290 being Stihl's #1 selling model,... was thinking I might see some more posts about the 290 and its performance. Pros/Cons, etc. The only thing I have read is that it is 'heavy'. Guess it's all in Stihl's marketing ploy. I just haven't seen many 290 reviews on the www. TNX again for the help.

The MS290 is pretty reliable but it's a boat anchor. (very poor power to weight ratio and it's a consumer grade saw). You don't want this pig for small jobs. Get an MS260 for all around small to medium jobs. If you want a larger saw get the MS361.

The 250 is a nice all around homeowner saw. Rent a Makita 6401 from your local home depot for that maple. A very nice saw. The 290 will probably get heavy after hoisting it around a little doing smaller things.

Stihl has 3 grades of chainsaw, homeowner-occasional use, mid-range use, and pro. The 270, 280, 290, 310, 390 are mid-range. The 250 is homeowner. The 260 is pro. It's all about longevity, power to weight ratio, etc. The 290 is probably the most sold Stihl. The 260 is probably the most rugged. The 250 will probably do all you need if you use a saw 5-10 times a year.

I ended up going with davefr's suggestion...

Went to the outdoor power equip. store today and picked up an MS 260. Great saw at a fantastic price, $40 more than the 290. Got an extra chain, case, and Stihl helmet system too. Gotta find some chaps now.
Thanks for the recommendations on the saws.
This is a great forum. Time to cut some wood now!

That's one of the preferred saws in 50cc size saws. They run best with a 16" bar on them. If you find you want something with a little more to it, the 361 is one of the best saws out there.

The MS290 is a perfectly good firewood/all-around saw for someone who does not anticipate cutting day in and day out. Everyone likes to talk smack about this saw, but in all honesty it is a competent performer with a good track record for reliability. And for the price, it is a very good deal.

Are there better or more powerful saws in the same size/weight class? Of course. Are there smaller/lighter saws that generate more power? Yup. Can either be had for $360? Nope, not so often.

The near universal suggestion is to buy an MS361, no matter what the cutting task is - whether firewood, countertop laminate, or your kid's hair. Sure, it is a nifty saw, but is it worth $200 more to someone whose use will be for the occasional downed tree and for 3-5 cords/year of smaller wood? Maybe, maybe not. That's your call.

For someone in your shoes, you'll first need to settle the issue of what you're going to be cutting most of the time. If you're usually going to be clearing 2" saplings, then you don't need a 290 or 250. If you're going to be in 12"+ wood on a regular basis, forget the MS180. If you're going to be in 20"+ hardwood with frequency, seriously consider skipping all of the saws you listed if you put a value on your time.

For a number of years I ran an MS290/20" for firewood, removals and trail clearing. It was a flawless performer, and not nearly as much of a pig as it is made out to be. It got the job done, and with a sharp chain it made a nice pile of chips quite quickly. I used it almost every weekend for the first serious year of EAB here in Michigan, felling and blocking up ash trees up to 30" diameter. It never failed, never complained, and always got the job done. Coupled with a little 30cc Echo for the little limbs, brush, and up in the trees, I had a saw combo that made me money and didn't cost a ton. I've since caught the chainsaw disease, and have had dozens of saws since that time, and the MS290 is now off with a relative.

Good luck in finding the *right* chainsaw!!

You made a good choice in the Stihl lineup, cost a little more, wieghts way less than the 290 and cutting speed should be close. And built way better. Steve

I just picked up a MS290 and really like it. I'm suprised at the criticism I see on this board. After struggling for 6 years with a 20" craftsman saw, this thing is like a Lexus in comparison.

If you like the 290, you should try one of the better saws :). You don't know what you are missing until you do. There is a reason people say the things they do. The 290 is not bad except the weight for the power it makes.

I think Stihl has the MS290 a little over rated, 3.8 hp to the MS260 with 3.2 and thier cutting speed is real close. Just a selling point. Steve

I just bought a Stihl 290 used. Fine saw.

I don't get the big deal with the 'weight'issue. Doesn't seem heavy to me? It's fine. Bunch of bony-armed lightweights around here... ;-) *kidding* *mostly*

Maybe if you are cutting trees all day every day the weight would become an issue...but then you'd be using a pro saw, wouldn't you?

Do you buy a Ferrari just to get milk at the cornerstore? No. So don't sweat an occasional use saw.

All IMHO. ;-)