In 1 week I will be going over to the coast near where the fires have burned here in Oregon. Plan is to spend the first part of the days working in my friends gun shop and the 2nd part cutting for whoever needs it
I plan on wearing a loose buttoned up shirt over an OWB holster.
Well you can show your firearm while you are working in the gun store, that’s what the employees do here in the state of VA. As far as cutting and using a chainsaw with a loose shirt you have to be careful not to get your shirt caught in the chainsaw. You need to tuck your shirt in or wear an IWB holster.
A pulley and some rope to make tree fall in direction you want, a gps that warns you if you are anywhere near Portland (joking, but not really.) Bear Spray. IFAK with a tourniquet. Chainsaws are no joke if they get loose especially if you are in an area where our eco SJW have pounded spikes into trees and hearing protection. Gloves that will protect your hands but still allow you to operate handgun.
I am sure you know this, but be careful of the loose shirt if that is applicable. I have seen guys clothing get sucked up by the chain. It then yanks you toward the saw very quickly. Crazy things. That is a really nice saw by the way.
Bane of my teen years, my sperm donor owned a chain of Western Autos and someone broke in and stole one of the Stihl chainsaws from window display. So I got to rotate through all of his Western Autos to chase off any burglars for the next 6 months.
@Johnnyq60. I usually open carry at the shop, a full size on the left and right hip for balance.
@Zavier_D. A pully and rope won’t work for some of the trees due to size, in most areas ill be cutting, doubtful there will be bears, have medical kit, private property trees, have heavy duty 3 finger gloves I also use at work for dexterity.
@Virgil_H. I’m aware of loose shirt dangers, it won’t be that loose and I don’t hover over the chain, its right where its supposed to be, away from me.
This saw is smaller than what I wanted but I could not justify another 700 on the saw im used too which is a 440 series with an even larger bar.
I picked up a smaller saw as well, just waiting for the shop to get it in due to shipping delays from the smoke, a tiny pocket saw MS 171.
I started off with an O36 when I was 11, safe to say I have some experience with saws, most I’ve had happen to me way chewn pants near the ankle when I was 11, was lessen enough to take all safety precautions.
I’d say some hard cast Ammo. In the event of a bear attack, penetration is you friend. Yes, I know with a running chain saw the bears probably aren’t coming near the noise, but, better safe than sorry.
Brother @Orpackrat you are carrying 2 pistols at your shop, well you are one 2 gun carrying, loose shirt wearing, tree chopping, STIHL chainsaw using, USCCA membership having dude. God bless you and stay safe.
@Johnnyq60. 2 main pistols when I go to the shop, most I’ve had on me at the shop is 4. Commonly only carry 3, the 2 full size and the pocket mini revolver.
I have fell trees with just an axe while carrying, that was about a month ago before I bought my saw and my friend who owns the gun shop, his saw broke, I brought my axe and hand saw just in case and ended up hand falling, limping. And cutting to manageable size pieces, by hand… that was a work out, especially after a day working the shop after working a full week at my regular job. Didnt help his property is on a hill, felt like uphill both ways at the end of the day.
Given the suggestion of a bear stopping power, maybe I can top that all wearing steel core body armor with the back slung AR Beowulf pistol with the FA Binary trigger while triple packing the normal carry and a 15lb saw with added 28" bar… (not likely, lol)
Just so you know brother @Orpackrat I do security work in Virginia Beach, VA at the STIHL plant, been here 7 years now. STIHL tools are awesome. I made an acronym for it.
Super
Tools
I
Hate
Lending.
I love Stihl, have tried some other saws, they just can’t compare to the quality of a Stihl…
For home use, presently where I live, I have no need for a saw except maybe a hand saw…
Hope to change that in a couple years plus I like having the option of helping friends and family who are not familiar with proper saw operation. Having a big saw is nice for the bigger stuff, I probably only needed a 251 but those size saws feel like toys, the MS 171 is going to feel like a happy meal toy…
Given the amount of work I have for the saws, they will die of old age before anything else which means they should last a few generations…