This is the cheapest way onto Stihl's professional AP battery platform, and the price tag hides the real cost: $400 buys the saw, the 12-inch bar and chain, and nothing else. An AP 300 S pack and AL 301 charger add roughly $400 more, which puts a working MSA 160 C-B near $800 — the same ballpark as the much stronger MSA 220 C-B set. What you get for it is 1.5 kW, a 6.8 lb powerhead, IPX4 splash protection and up to 62 minutes of cutting on the AP 300 S. The one thing to check before you buy is the oiler. Owner reviews on this model repeatedly describe bar oil draining out of the tank between uses and the chain running dry when the saw is switched on, with one owner finding it varied with how carefully the bar was seated. Ask the dealer to demonstrate oil flow before you leave.
Best for: Owners who already have Stihl AP batteries from a trimmer or blower and want a light, quiet 12-inch saw to share them with.
Manufacturer figures except the engine class and single-pass cut, which are derived here. What each spec means
