Stihl / Gas / Professional

Stihl MS 462 C-M

Name: Stihl MS 462 C-M
Brand: Stihl
Price: 1670 USD
Availability: InStock

70cc+ class

72.2cc

Engine

4.4 kW rated

25 in

Bar

cuts to about 23 in

13.2 lb

Weight

powerhead only

~$1,670

approx., with 25" bar and chain

See it at Stihl

Price and availability on Stihl's site may differ.

The saw that made West Coast fallers trade in their 044s and 461s: 72.2cc and 4.4 kW in a 13.2-pound powerhead that Stihl bills as the lightest it has ever built in this class, and owners describe with phrases like 'monster torque' and 'game changer'. The M-Tronic metering keeps it in perfect tune from sea level to mountain jobs, and users bucking hardwood with 25- and 28-inch bars report it never feels short of breath — several admit their 660-class saws now sit unused because the 462 does the work at two pounds less. Complaints are scarce and mostly economic: the price has marched steadily upward (Ace lists the 25-inch at $1,619.99), and weekend cutters frequently confess they love it but reach for it less than expected because it's simply more saw than most firewood requires. A few owners cross-shop the lighter MS 400 and wonder if 66cc would do. As a do-everything big saw for felling and heavy bucking, though, forum consensus is about as unanimous as chainsaw forums get: no buyer's remorse.

Best for: Professional fallers and serious cutters handling big timber who want 70cc-class power at a 60cc-class carry weight.

Specifications

Engine class: 70cc+ class (by displacement)
Engine: 72.2 cc
Rated power: 4.4 kW
Bar length: 25 in
Bar range: 16-32 in
Single-pass cut: about 23 in (bar minus 2)
Chain: 3/8" pitch / .050" gauge (33 RS3)
Weight: 13.2 lb, powerhead only
Power type: Gas
Use case: Professional
Warranty: 1-year consumer / 3-month professional (Stihl policy from Jan 1, 2026)
Model: MS 462 C-M

Manufacturer figures except the engine class and single-pass cut, which are derived here. What each spec means

Lightest saw Stihl has made in its class
4.4 kW with 'monster torque' reputation
Handles bars up to 32 inches

What owners like

Class-leading power-to-weight: 4.4 kW from a 13.2 lb powerhead, the lightest Stihl in its fuel class
M-Tronic self-tuning delivers max power at any altitude or fuel quality — praised as a game changer for felling
Comfortably buries 25"-28" bars in hardwood; owners retire their heavier 660-class saws after buying one
Strong low-end torque that pulls full-comp 3/8" chain without falling on its face
Owner threads are overwhelmingly positive — 'no buyer's remorse' is the recurring verdict
Rebuildable pro construction with full dealer parts support

Common complaints

Price keeps climbing — $1,619.99 with a 25" bar at Ace, hundreds more than at launch
Overkill for typical firewood duty; owners admit it sees less use than they expected
The newer MS 400 C-M is noticeably lighter and cheaper if you don't truly need 72cc
No meaningful retailer review aggregate exists — dealer-channel sales mean almost no online reviews
1-year warranty in professional use

Questions owners ask

What bar length does the MS 462 pull comfortably?

Owners run 25- and 28-inch bars buried in hardwood without the saw falling on its face — that low-end torque is why West Coast fallers traded in their 044s and 461s for it. It's rated for anything from 16 to 32 inches, though at the 32-inch end you're asking a lot in dense wood.

Is it overkill for firewood duty?

For most people, honestly yes — owners in the saw forums admit their 462 sees less use than expected because a 50-60cc saw covers everyday cutting. Where it earns its keep is regular work in 24-inch-plus timber or felling, where 72cc at a 13.2-pound carry weight is a genuine advantage over heavier 70cc-class saws.

How does it compare to the MS 400 C-M?

The MS 400 is noticeably lighter and several hundred dollars cheaper, and if you don't truly need 72cc it's the smarter buy — that's the recurring forum advice. The 462 justifies itself when you regularly bury long bars in big wood; below that threshold the 400 does the same jobs for less money and fatigue.

Does M-Tronic matter on a felling saw?

More than on any other saw — fallers work across elevations and fuel batches, and M-Tronic delivers maximum power everywhere with no carb screws to chase. Owner threads describe the auto-tuning as a game changer, and 'no buyer's remorse' is the recurring verdict on the 462 specifically.

What's the warranty like for professional use?

Thin: one year in professional or commercial use, two years for consumer use. That's normal for pro-tier gas saws, and in practice the rebuildable magnesium construction and full dealer parts network matter more over the saw's life than the warranty term.