I am in the market to buy a smaller saw than my MS310 due to older age and arthritis which makes it difficult to start. I've been reading reviews on different forums comparing the two models as well as the "easy start" 251 and have noticed specs change on what year you are reading about? Since they are similar in weight and power, my main concern is reliability, availability of parts, and ease of starting. I am leery of the tool less chain adjustor and "easy start" mechanism on the 251-c as just something else that can gum up or break. Anyone out there with real life experience with both saws (latest version) that could make a recommendation one way or the other. Thanks.
I’ve got the MS180 with toolless chain adjust and the easy-start. your fears are unfounded. Easy start is truly misunderstood technology. What your doing is loading a spring up to provide the energy. So for someone who finds it difficult to pull start a saw, it’s actually to your benefit.
I love my MS250. Probably about 6 years old and cuts great with a couple ez mods. However, unless you commit to a good grip and a solid yank, there are times when it will rip the handle out of your hand. I know my Uncle Arthir doesn't like that one bit... My neighbor got a RedMax with the easy start. I cannot start it. I can drop start any of my other saws no problem, but I can't slowly pull his through 3 gentle "thumps" for it to kick without putting it on the ground and standing on the handle. My shoulder is starting the thing where it's ULTRA painful as soon as my upper arm goes above parallel to the ground. My nephew had a used 435 E and didn't realize what the E meant and broke the starter. I replaced it and he broke that one in 3 pulls after I gave it back to him. I replaced it with a NON E starter... He's much happier now. Moral of that story is that after many years of yanking a chainsaw to start it, it's very hard to not just pick it up and rip the e-z start right off the side of the saw. Or maybe that's just my family??? Welcome aboard Rocky. Are you really 99? Hope I'm still cutting when I get there...
99.....hardly, I'm only 73,LOL. Been heating with wood since the middle 70's, first cutting my own wood and splitting by hand; then buying logs, bucking them up and splitting by hand; then buying a log splitter but still buying logs, and finally after breaking a wrist and arthur settling in, just buying firewood. I still cut and split about 6 or 7 face cords each year off my own property. I visited my local Stihl dealer today and ended up buying a 251-c with the easy start and tool less chain tensioner. The guys there talked it up pretty good and said, said they were very dependable and were easy to fix if something went wrong. To top it off, when I got home and was goig through the receipt and paperwork, I realized they charged me for a plain MS-251. I called them and explained and said I thought they had the wrong price loaded into their computer system and I'd go in tomorrow to pay the difference. The guy said, no, keep it as is and thanked me for being honest. Made my day....new Stihl, easy start and I got it for a STEAL. Thanks for the advise on this site. Sure I will be back.
I had a 251 and with the limiters removed it was a great little saw. But I'll say a 4910 or 501 Echo will spank the 50cc Sthil
No experience with either. Congrats on your new saw. Be sure to post lots of pics! Now get out there and cut some wood!
