Stihl MS 271 vs MS 291: My Honest Take

I stood in the aisle of my local shop for a long time. I stared at two orange saws. They looked the same. They felt the same in my hands. But the price tags were not the same.

I had to choose: the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss or the MS 291.

I have used both now. I want to share what I found. It might save you the time I lost that day.

The “Same Saw” Confusion

Here is the first thing I saw. These two saws share the same body. I mean exactly the same. They use the same plastic shell. They have the same handle. They have the same fuel tank.

I picked up the MS 271. It weighed about 12 pounds. I picked up the MS 291. It also weighed 12 pounds. It was confusing.

I made this chart to show you just how close they are on the outside.

So, why pay about $80 more for the 291?

The secret is inside. The MS 291 has a bigger motor. Stihl made the piston hole bigger. It is 55.5 cc. The 271 is only 50.2 cc.

It does not look like much on paper. But I felt it in the wood.

My Time with the MS 271

I started with the MS 271. It is a classic saw. It starts easy. It runs smooth.

I used it to clear some pine trees after a storm. It was great. The saw felt light. I used an 18-inch bar. It cut the soft wood fast. The chips flew.

If you just cut wood for a fire on weekends, this saw is perfect. It works well. It gets the job done. I never felt like it was “too small” for yard work.

But then I hit some dry oak.

I pushed the bar into a thick log. The saw slowed down. I had to lift up. I had to let the speed climb back up. It was not bad. But I could feel the limit of the motor.

What I Like

• The Price: It costs less money upfront.
• Easy Start: It fires up with just a few pulls.
• Good Balance: It feels great with an 18-inch bar.
• Fuel Use: It seems to run longer on a tank of gas.

What Could Be Better

• Hard Wood: It struggles a bit in dry oak or maple.
• Bar Limit: A 20-inch bar feels too big for it.
• Bogging: You have to be gentle in thick cuts.

My Time with the MS 291

Then I tried the MS 291.

I used the same 18-inch bar. I went back to that same oak log.

I pushed down. The chain kept spinning fast. It did not stall. It did not stop. It just cut.

That extra engine size gives you more torque. Torque is the force that keeps the chain moving. It helps when the wood is hard.

The best part? It did not tire me out. Since it weighs the same as the 271, I got extra power for “free.” I did not have to carry a heavier saw to get it.

What I Like

• The Power: It cuts through hard knots easily.
• Same Weight: It does not hurt my back more than the 271.
• Versatile: It can run a 20-inch bar with no issue.
• Speed: It finishes the cut faster.

What Could Be Better

• The Cost: It is harder on the wallet.
• Thirsty: It drinks gas a little faster.
• Vibration: It shakes a tiny bit more at full speed.

The Real World Test

Here is how I see the key points after I used them:

• Shake: They feel mostly the same. The springs work well. My hands did not hurt after a tank of gas.
• Bar Size: The 271 loves an 16″ or 18″ bar. The 291 is strong enough for a 20-inch bar.
• Gas: The 291 used gas a tiny bit faster. That makes sense. It has a bigger motor to feed.

READ MORE: Stihl MS 250 vs MS 251

Quick Specs Chart

I made this table to show the numbers that mattered to me.

My Final Choice

If I had to buy one again, I would spend the extra cash for the MS 291.

Why? Because I hate it when a saw stops in the cut. I often cut hard wood. I like having that extra power. It feels like a “boosted” version of the 271.

But do not get me wrong. If you are on a budget, the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss is still a beast. It will last you for years. You just might have to be a little more patient with big logs.

I hope this helps you pick the right orange tool for your shed!

FAQs – Stihl MS 271 vs MS 291