Stihl MS270 Reviews

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Stihl MS270
★★★★☆
3.6
70.0% of users recommend this
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Latest Reviews

“I Thought it was a Piece of Garbage”

★★★☆☆

written by Janellec402 on 10/03/2018

I love to hate this saw, but my issues are different than most. Mine started every time, no issues with the gas cap or carburetor. I hated the quick adjust bar. Chain would not stay tight, the bar would wiggle, and it was horrible. I do not sharpen chains, I just replace them and went through about three chains over the 4+ years I used it. I set it aside back in 2012 or so, and then gave it to my brother in law who loves it. Used it to clear a lot in WV. I have to admit, when the bar is tight, and its running, it runs. The bar was a big PITA.

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Davidbreck's Comment

Written on: 14/07/2018

I Swapped the 18" Bar for a 20" Bar... Runs Great...

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“Get her Done”

★★★★★

written by JoeMadden22 on 14/01/2017

Had my ms270 5 years running..Only thing if u don't run it all winter and leave mix gas in carburetor it will gum up and won't run..Sthil makes a winter gas in a can..My saw cuts like a scalded Dog..no problems other than leaving it set to long...harder you run her better she cuts

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“Ms270”

★★☆☆☆

written by hePennington329 on 13/05/2016

Keep blowing spark pack

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“Not worth it”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Medwin on 20/11/2015

Bought the saw for personnel use only. Have used other saws before even Poulan. Figured this saw would give me years of use.It gave me less than a year. I only used 4 and a half gallons of fuel in the saw before it died and dealer said piston walls were scored and it was not worth fixing. I bought the pak of 6 stihl 2 cycle oil with the saw and still have one left. fuel was mixed in a i gallon 4 oz fuel can always and shook before putting in the saw. The two cheaper Poulans at least lasted a year and a half before needing repairs. Very disappointed in Stihl would not recommend to anyone thought I was making a great investment on a reliable saw.

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“Well built stihl”

★★★★★

written by on 10/11/2013

Ok for those of you having problems running your stihl here is the starting method to use. Step 1 put the saw on full choke pull starter until the saw pops or just barely tries to start then immediately move the choke a click up and pull the starter a couple times and your stihl will start. Run stihl 2 cycle oil and stihl bar oil and run the saw for years with no problems Do dealers just not tell people this stuff or what? If you think craftsman 2 stroke oil is going to protect a high perf engine over a long life youre crazy. Buy a sears saw if you want average perf and then use your 87oct fuel and low grade oil Cracks me up ive had a stihl ms 250 for 5 yrs and then ran a husky rancher 455 and then back to a stihl ms270 and the 270 is far and away my favorite. Way more power than any saw ive run besides the rancher that husky was a wood cutting beast but the oiler would clog up foul chains the motor was Awesome just required more maint and was too heavy for a little guy like me The 270 is on its 2nd yr and the only thing i do is sharpen the chain flip the bar now and then and run premium gas and oil in it Maybe someday ill venture for a 346xp or a stihl 361 but for now the 270 is $ well spent

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“Terrible saw”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 13/12/2012

I've had the saw for 8 years. I cut around 4-5 bush cord a year. I've had the saw back to the dealer 3 times now. Each time it's a $250.00 rebuild and replacement of mostly carburetor parts. It runs well for a couple of times then starts acting up again. I have a co-worker with the same saw and the same problems. When it's cutting it's great, lots of power, but it won't idle and it when I let off the throttle it races. Always has done this and I guess it always will, till I get frustrated enough to replace it.

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“6 years and running...no problems with the saw at all. ”

★★★★★

written by on 06/04/2012

I have owned my MS270 for 6 years now, and I have not had any problems yet. I cut firewood for for the family, and =/- 10 cord to sell each year. I have the 18" bar and don't find too much I can't get through. If you keep the chain sharp and good gas in your saw, you can cut all day. I have never had my saw in for sevice for anything. I just buy new bars and chains, when needed. I love my saw and would have no problems buying a new one when/if this one wears out. this saw is a great running, easy to start, light weight, all around great saw. the dealer was very helpful in finding me the right saw.

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“Problems after 1st year about 5 cord”

★★☆☆☆

written by Arkrecovery on 15/12/2011

I went to Stihl as to people saying it was the best saw out there. Think this was coming from people who do not cut wood to heat their homes and work to make ends meet. I went to commercial grade ms270 to get better than what I was told and assist an 18" bar, very un happy with the saw. When serviced, at most able to cut 3 more cord averaging $130.00 a repair. I have spent way too much on this saw - problems- recoil going many times, brake - 2 new ones, piston seized by bolt coming loose, and on 3rd rubber gasket from carb to the head. No relief for repairs as I took it in each time to a service center to have them done. I would not suggest investing into the name.

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“I'm on my 4th season with this saw. Not a problem...”

★★★★☆

written by on 11/06/2010

I'm on my 4th season with this saw. Not a problem with it since new. It has never been back to the dealer. I cut my own and other(s) firewood with it each and every year. It has more than enough power for the average homeowner. The only complaint i have with the saw is with the gas and oil caps. They can be a bit of a pain in the butt to get on and off however, if that's the only problem...it's easily over looked. I've owned several other models of chain saws and by far this has been the best to date. I'd put this saw up against any other in it's class and would bet on it time and time again.

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“ditto on the contention that only Stihl dealers are...”

★★☆☆☆

written by on 10/02/2010

ditto on the contention that only Stihl dealers are writting reviews here!
when it works, it's a pretty good saw.
the caps do not work well, but, that's nothing to worry about really....probably due to the ethanol in the gas.
after 4 years of moderate use (about six cords of wood), the engine had to be rebuilt. parts were covered, labor was not.
the pull cord failed in year three.
and now the grommets/engine mounts failed and caused the plastic body to crack...not sure how that is going to pan out.
i finished one job with my neighbors craftsman.
another job i finished with my ms250.
this should be a hell of lot more of a saw than it has turned out to be. lemon i'd say, but, maybe not?

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Guest's Comment

Written on: 30/08/2011

I've had mine for 7, and only had to take it in for service once (after I lent it to a neighbor, who screwed with all of the mixture adjustments). Pull cord - still brand new. I usually but about 2-3 cords a year - somewhere in the range 15-20 cords. Thing still runs like a top.

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“The MS270 is a nice little 50cc mid-range saw. It was...”

★★★★☆

written by Treeclimber57 on 30/12/2009

The MS270 is a nice little 50cc mid-range saw. It was not intended for hard professional work, however we run it beside the professional MS260s and MS361s every day. It has power about equal to the 260, however it is slightly heavier.

An excellent choice single saw for the homeowner who is only cutting firewood. If you want a slightly better saw (read more expensive as well!), I might recommend the 361 or the 346XP.

However, for the cost, you will not go wrong on the 270.

This saw, if maintained properly will last you a lifetime.

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“I'm going on my third season with the MS270. I use it...”

★★★★★

written by on 19/09/2009

I'm going on my third season with the MS270. I use it primarily for cutting firewood each season (10-15 cords). I have no complaints with this saw. I do not have the quick-adjust chain, just the basic model with the 18" bar...the simpler the better. The saw has never had an issue, starts every time regardless of the temp. (I live in upstate new york = cold). Good power, plenty for up to 20"+/- logs. Takes a little more time with hardwoods obviously. Great all-around saw, worth every penny in my opinion. Make sure to run good gas in it(91 or higher octane), keep the air cleaner clean and you should get many many years out of it.

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“I'm wondering if everyone who has reviewed the Stihl...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 07/09/2009

I'm wondering if everyone who has reviewed the Stihl ms 270 works for Stihl.
I have never had a more undependable chain saw. you can spend an hour trying to start it and never even get a pop. and the next day it starts fine.
on average it takes 20 minutes to add gas as the cap is incredibly fussy. once it's off, good luck getting it back on. I once took it to the dealer and he took another 15 minutes trying to get it back on.

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Flylipsdad's Comment

Written on: 27/11/2013

Look for spark!My brother and I both have 270's.His has given him fits from not starting from time to time.Mine has run great and never given me a problem until now.Both of us small engine mechanics, we tore into his when it Completely quit sparking.Bad ignition module - $62.00.Now mine is doin the same thing AND it does come and go.Runs for a while and then just stops sparking.Junk ignition Modules,but otherwise my brothers run great NOW,and mine will too when I get it back together.Might add I've probably cut close to 300 face cord with mine on the same Bar - but its about totally fried.Good oil and Maintence makes ALL the difference.

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“I have been very pleased with my Stihl MS270. In my...”

★★★★☆

written by on 12/08/2009

I have been very pleased with my Stihl MS270. In my opinion, this is the perfect all-around saw. I used it to cut firewood each year. I cut about 16 cords a year and have not been disappointed with this saw yet. If you are only going to own one saw, it's hard to beat the MS270.

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“We purchased this saw to replace a mcCullough that was...”

★★★★☆

written by on 12/03/2009

We purchased this saw to replace a mcCullough that was twenty years old. We had a severe storm that resulted in a large amount of trees down on our farm. Nobody wanted to use the old loud, short bar mcCullough. I had been fond of the saws i used at work so we purchased the Stihl. It is a good little saw and does its job well. I use the yellow dot chin ( I am not sure what it is officially called). If you are new to chainsaws use a low kickback chain not a yellow dot. The yellow dot cuts better and faster. We have an 18" bar on it and it handles it well. I love the balance of the saw it is fairly light weight and it has power. The 18" bar balances the saw out well. The only thing I do not like is the fuel consumption. If I am cutting I want to be cutting, not filling up the fuel tank. Th tank is not that small that it is a major problem but it is just an annoyance. If most of your work is 12"+ logs go with a larger saw. The MS270 will cut them no problem but it takes time. I would buy this saw again or possible go to a MS290 for more power.

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“I made a mistake on the original review of the Stihl...”

★★★★★

written by on 09/02/2009

I made a mistake on the original review of the Stihl MS270. I got the 18 inch not the 20 inch that it came with (for some reason the suppliers are only ordering the 20 inch bar length, but are happy to convert it) . The 156 inch would work better a lot of the time, but I use the 18 inch as measuring gage and sometimes the longer length is handy.

The saw continues to cut very well. I have lost count of the cords run through.

I had the saw flood out totally once. I think it was a combination of frozen up and flooded (cutting in a lot of flying ice and snow conditions).

I could not get it going, so I quit (I was froze solid anyway, it was -20F) and went home and thawed it out, and tried clearing it a few times. Upshot was I thought it was going to the dealer for repair when I re-read the flooding clearing procedure in the manual, and I was doing it wrong.

Once I did it right, it fired right up.

I am having chains break cutting frozen wood. I suspect its either the links are not done right when they build the chain (all done locally, only factory assembled chain comes with the saw), or its not getting enough oil. I didn't have the problem with using the original summer oil even in winter (the guys said the oil reservoir heated up anyway). since I went to the winter oil two chains broke.) They ok the winter oil for summer use, and I do cut a lot in the summer as well.

Maybe the one downside is not being able to adjust oil quantity. Oregon chain saw manuals says broken links are an indication of not enough oil. Oil more and or dilute. I am diluted with the winter oil, so not more to do other than try summer oil again maybe.

I Stihl think it may be the best all around saw, despite the popularity of the MS280 and MS290.

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“I have cut around 24 cords of wood with it. With the...”

★★★★☆

written by MS270 on 29/12/2008

I have cut around 24 cords of wood with it. With the new isolator system there is not wear out factor.

It handles will, is wlel ballanced and has good power.

I opted for a 16 inch bar as I was on pre stack wood and the versitlity was more importnat than depth, not cutting any trees down, just rounds out of a pile.

Most of the wood is under 16 inches, and the rare stuff not can be cut from two sides.

I got the C model, nothing fanyc, no easy adjust, or auto start, all manaul. I was skeptical of the auto oiler but has worked abosultey fine.

If I was cutting trees and limbing a lot, then the 18 inch would be the choice for the length and reach. Otherwise the 16 works better for what I do.

Only issue has been cutting laying down logs in snow and it eventually ices up. Hard to clear all the snow off the logs. Just the way it is, but I usually have a full or close to full truck then anyway (or am cold and frozen and time to hang it up.

The adjusting tool is cheap as hell and needs a grind to get squre enough to adjust.

I can work a pile of stacked wood for a full truck and the saw is not part of the fatigue.

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“My first saw was a 3300 Homelite which is designed for...”

★★★★★

written by DBmead on 05/11/2008

My first saw was a 3300 Homelite which is designed for lite use, but started cutting for firewood this year, My wife bought me the Stihl MS270 with some advice from a local dealer and in six weeks time I cut, split and stacked 42 face cord of wood for this winter, and the next two winters It was a great choice.

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“Great chainsaw, I would buy the Stihl MS270 again and...”

★★★★★

written by on 11/07/2008

Great chainsaw, I would buy the Stihl MS270 again and reccomend it to any one doing heavier work despite the effort it takes to start.

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“This thing can cut! I owned a craftsman before so...”

★★★★★

written by on 24/06/2008

This thing can cut! I owned a craftsman before so thats not a fair comparison. Cut against Husky's and Johnsred's and they don't compare to this speedster. I love the tool free tensioner. I've owned it for 3 years now and it sees moderate use. I use the rm and rs chain by Stihl with little change in performance. A little heavier than a comparable Huskvarna but seems to have alot heavier bar than the Husky. Hopefully the last saw I'll ever need!

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