I feel it cloud be flooding if it takes 5-6 pulls to start but pulls easy with the plug out.

Suggestions:

1. Count the turns it takes to lightly seat the High and Low carb adjustment screws. I feel they are out too many turns causing it to be rich with fuel and hard to compress. See if you can find specs of 1.25 -1.5 is what they should be adjusted to.
2. Check the plug to see if it’s wet related to flooding. Ck the air filter to know it’s cln X good air.
3. Are you use to starting a Chainsaw? Some models can feel hard IMO w/o compression release.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the response! I just got the saw started within 3-4 pulls. The pulls are rough though..hard to explain I guess...the first few were very hard...they almost come to a hard stop - to the point that it feels like the line is going to snap again..just way too hard. Then it's nice and smooth and starts. I shut it off..went right back to start it again and I pull maybe 1/4 and again..it comes to a real hard stop. By no means is it a strength issue..it's a very hard stop. I let the cord retract and yank it again...same thing - hard stop...I let it retract and then it allows me to get a good pull on it. Now..as I think I mentioned..without the plug in it pulls fine...and also if I take the cover off that houses the pull cord...and if I yank it like that it pulls fine as well. Very confusing with hurt hands! :-)

Thanks for the response! I just got the saw started within 3-4 pulls. The pulls are rough though..hard to explain I guess...the first few were very hard...they almost come to a hard stop - to the point that it feels like the line is going to snap again..just way too hard. Then it's nice and smooth and starts. I shut it off..went right back to start it again and I pull maybe 1/4 and again..it comes to a real hard stop. By no means is it a strength issue..it's a very hard stop. I let the cord retract and yank it again...same thing - hard stop...I let it retract and then it allows me to get a good pull on it. Now..as I think I mentioned..without the plug in it pulls fine...and also if I take the cover off that houses the pull cord...and if I yank it like that it pulls fine as well. Very confusing with hurt hands! :-)

Sorry..some further information.
When it starts..it runs good...no hesitation what so ever so I think the carb's are adjusted properly.

Pull the muffler and you should be able to see if there is carbon build-up on the piston (that could be increasing your compression). If so, there might be a fuel treatment that will help remove it, “That Others Will Share”.

I bit the bullet today..I took it to a service center...they adjusted the carbs and it runs better..not like before..but it is better. I don't understand how the carbs got tweaked with what I did...but evidently it did the trick.
Thanks to everyone's input!

Good Good Good! What is the lesson, "Pros"? Thanks!

1. Too much fuel, from bulb priming and Carb adj off or what, "Pros"?

2. My 70-80s Poulans S25’s fires 2-3 pull if "I" manually prime with premix w/o bulbs vs 4-5 if it pulls with the choke on.

3. I pull with a whip with both arms (pushing/pulling) vs all with one arm. Now you know why I use my electric saws when I can.