Stihl MS 291 / MS 291 C-BE

Like the other posted poor reviews, my MS291 lasted only 4 years while using it only a couple of times a year to cut down a couple of trees each time. Repair shop said the cylinder and rings were scored. They said it’s common. They wanted $650 for a new one. Why? Husqverna has a five year warranty deal. Factory has not responded to any of my requests. In my opinion, STIHL does not live up to their reputation. Maybe Husqverna will. Show details

Piece of Garbage saw – This saw is a piece of garbage. I bought it 2 years ago and have problems starting it. Once running it is great but stop it even for a minute and it has problems starting. Don't buy this saw. My next saw will be from a different manufacturer. Until now I have been a stihl customer through and through. Show details

Absolute solid performing saw – I’m a qualified arborist. I’ve used many saws. I needed a saw to handle big wood but not destroy my arms after extended use. The MS291 is solid and powerful for its size. Perfect Show details

Poor Performer – Bought the MS 291 expecting quality & performance - Had trouble starting it & with idle control returned for service checks 3 times & had only cut down 4 relatively small trees -stalled whilst cutting - returned for service - advised of piston scoring probably using wrong fuel /oil mix. I used Stihl oil mix to instructions. From other reviews it looks like there may be a manufacture problem ! ? Show details

sadly not tough enough – I had a Husky Rancher 460 that died. So i replaced it with a Stihl MS 291 as being in same zone. Still over $1000 so I expected a good few years. In around 12 months it was dead. Piston melted. I had followed all instructions and serviced regularly, admittedly not using Stihl oil ( rather Caltex- hardly a sin). Stihl shop were gloriously unhelpful… Read more

implying that even if I sent it to stihl for warranty work ( which I would need to initially pay for) it wouldn't go my way. Im tough on tools but this is expensive nonsense. Back to Huskys for me. no more Stihl

have two ms291's for firewood business – I have two ms 291 saws. First one cut around 300 cubic metres of wood. No real problems. Had to get a new coil, covered under 2 year warranty. Still runs great. Nice compression, good rumble. Had second one for a couple of months. Runs ok. Maybe a issue with the idle, seems to be a little off, compared to the first one. I will run it hard for a… Read more

while see how it goes, while under warranty. Good saws., but are made in china and brazil, compared to older ones made in east germany.

This was perfect until it seize up – This was a great saw until it seize up. For some reason it seize and when I took it in to where I got it they told me it could have been the oil mixed or it got air. I know it was not oil mixed so after 4 years not good.  Show details

Stihl MS 291 – Still not run in but has performed faultlessly so far. This I think is the ideal size saw for people that are more lightly built but need to go firewood cutting a just for the winter months. Due to its relatively light weight its easy to handle if you are an occasional user but when you use it you may be cutting all day. The saw has ample power… Read more

for dry hard woods and lots of professional saw features such as the air cleaner system and stratified charge mix system. Very fuel efficient, you will likely need to have rest before you have finished a tank of fuel. Excellent hot/warm starting, cold starting is good but you do notice the compression a lot more, there is no decompression lever. Important to hold the saw down very firmly on cold starts as the kick back can be a bit harsh. Once warmed up it starts very easily, can be drop started no problem at all.

If you need a decent saw that can that is light enough for the light cutting but heavy enough for timber up to 40cm or a bit more in diameter this saw will do it all. A very good al-rounder if you only need one saw. Build quality is excellent, plenty of power, flawless starting cold, hot or warm. Well featured saw in terms of having a few of the professional saw featires. Kick back on cold starting. (but you learn to live with it not a deal breaker by any means)