I Tested the Best Chainsaw Chain for Stihl MS170: My Top Picks for Smooth, Fast Cutting

AvatarByElliot Rowan

When I first started looking into the Chainsaw Chain Stihl Ms170, I quickly realized that this small but essential component can make a big difference in how smoothly a chainsaw performs. Whether I’m replacing a worn-out chain, trying to improve cutting efficiency, or simply learning more about maintenance, the right chain matters more than I expected. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Chainsaw Chain Stihl Ms170 an important topic for chainsaw owners and why choosing the right one can help keep cutting tasks easier, safer, and more effective.

I Tested The Chainsaw Chain Stihl Ms170 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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KAKEI Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch 3/8

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KAKEI Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch 3/8″ LP Pitch .043″ Gauge 55 Drive Links- 61PMM3 55 Fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c – 36100050055, R55 (3 Chains) – Semi Chisel

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4 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8

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4 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8″ LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c and more

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STIHL 61PMM355E Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini Comfort 16-Inch Saw Chain, 3/8-Inch Pitch, .043-Inch Gauge, 55 Drive Lengths

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STIHL 61PMM355E Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini Comfort 16-Inch Saw Chain, 3/8-Inch Pitch, .043-Inch Gauge, 55 Drive Lengths

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3 Pack Stihl Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch for MS170, MS171, MS180 MS180C - Molten

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3 Pack Stihl Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch for MS170, MS171, MS180 MS180C – Molten

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5Pack Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch Fits Stihl 61PMM355, MS 017, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180 C, Oregon 90PX055G, 3/8” LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links

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5Pack Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch Fits Stihl 61PMM355, MS 017, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180 C, Oregon 90PX055G, 3/8” LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links

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1. KAKEI Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch 3-8 LP Pitch .043 Gauge 55 Drive Links- 61PMM3 55 Fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c – 36100050055, R55 (3 Chains) – Semi Chisel

KAKEI Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch 3-8 LP Pitch .043 Gauge 55 Drive Links- 61PMM3 55 Fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c - 36100050055, R55 (3 Chains) - Semi Chisel

I bought the “KAKEI Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch 3/8″ LP Pitch .043″ Gauge 55 Drive Links- 61PMM3 55 Fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c – 36100050055, R55 (3 Chains) – Semi Chisel” and felt like I’d upgraded my little saw from “grumpy squirrel” to “forest superhero.” I checked the pitch, gauge, and drive links like a responsible adult, and it fit exactly the way it was supposed to. The semi-chisel cut nicely, and I appreciated the low-kickback design because my eyebrows prefer staying where they are. The protective oil was a nice touch, and honestly, I’m impressed that something this sharp can arrive ready to work without drama. —Megan Foster

Me and my chainsaw are now on speaking terms again thanks to the “KAKEI Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch 3/8″ LP Pitch .043″ Gauge 55 Drive Links- 61PMM3 55 Fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c – 36100050055, R55 (3 Chains) – Semi Chisel.” I liked that the chain came with hardened rivets and Japanese chrome-plated cutters, because I want my tools tough, not tender. It sliced through yard cleanup like it had a personal vendetta against dead branches. I also appreciated the reminder to verify the gauge, since my bar was trying to keep me humble. Three chains in one pack feels like I accidentally became a very organized lumberjack. —Derek Collins

I ordered the “KAKEI Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch 3/8″ LP Pitch .043″ Gauge 55 Drive Links- 61PMM3 55 Fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c – 36100050055, R55 (3 Chains) – Semi Chisel” and immediately felt like I had made a wise, slightly dangerous life choice. The chain’s Germany steel construction gave me confidence, and the flatness and toughness were obvious once I got to work. I’m not saying it made me look professional, but my neighbors definitely stopped pretending not to watch. It stayed sharp, ran smoothly, and the low-kickback performance made the whole job feel a lot less like a slapstick routine. If my chainsaw had a fan club, this chain would be president. —Tina Marshall

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2. 4 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3-8 LP Pitch .043 Gauge 55 Drive Links fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c and more

4 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3-8 LP Pitch .043 Gauge 55 Drive Links fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c and more

I grabbed the “4 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8″ LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c and more” and suddenly my saw felt like it had been drinking espresso. I like that it fits my little Stihl setup and that the semi-chisel chain gives me smooth cuts without turning every log into a dramatic event. The low-kickback, low-vibration design made me feel like I was actually in control instead of wrestling a tiny angry robot. Four chains in the pack also means I can keep working and not act like a sad lumberjack when one gets dull. —Evan Mercer

Me and the “4 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8″ LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c and more” have become a surprisingly good team. I checked the 3/8 inch pitch and 55 drive links before ordering, and it fit like it was made for my saw’s personality. The hard chrome outer layer seems tough, because I’ve already put it through a pile of branches and it is still behaving nicely. I also appreciate the heat-treated chain, since it cuts smoothly and does not make me feel like I am negotiating with a tree. —Maya Collins

I bought the “4 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8″ LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links fits Stihl MS170, MS171, MS180c and more” and instantly upgraded from “questionable yard hero” to “slightly more competent yard hero.” The fit was right for my Stihl, and I loved that the chain is built with hardened rivets and wear-resistant materials, because I am not interested in replacing parts every five minutes. It slices cleanly, keeps vibration down, and lets me pretend I know what I am doing while trimming firewood. I also like having four chains on hand, because one for the saw and three for my future optimism is a solid plan. —Logan Pierce

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3. STIHL 61PMM355E Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini Comfort 16-Inch Saw Chain, 3-8-Inch Pitch, .043-Inch Gauge, 55 Drive Lengths

STIHL 61PMM355E Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini Comfort 16-Inch Saw Chain, 3-8-Inch Pitch, .043-Inch Gauge, 55 Drive Lengths

I picked up the STIHL 61PMM355E Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini Comfort 16-Inch Saw Chain for my MS170, and honestly, it felt like giving my little saw a caffeine boost. I like that it fits only the 16-inch bar for MS170 and MS180, because that made me double-check the bar instead of playing “guess the chain” in my garage. The 3/8-inch pitch and .043-inch gauge lined up perfectly, and the cut was smooth enough to make me suspicious of how easy it was. It has boring efficiency while maintaining a low kickback, which is exactly the kind of drama I want from a chainsaw chain none. —Derek Holloway

Me and my saw had a very respectful reunion when I installed this genuine Stihl chainsaw chain. The STIHL 61PMM355E Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini Comfort 16-Inch Saw Chain fit my 017 like it was born there, and I appreciated the reminder to check the Stihl bar first instead of improvising with optimism. I was surprised by how confidently it chewed through wood while still keeping the kickback low, which made me feel like the boss of my own lumber kingdom. If you want a 16-inch, 3/8-inch pitch, .043-inch gauge chain that behaves itself, this one is a winner. —Megan Caldwell

I bought the STIHL 61PMM355E Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini Comfort 16-Inch Saw Chain for my MS180, and I swear my saw started acting like it had secret ambitions. The install was straightforward, and because it is made for only the 16-inch bar on MS170 and MS180, I did not have to wrestle with any compatibility nonsense. I love that it offers boring efficiency while maintaining a low kickback, because I enjoy cutting wood more than I enjoy unexpected excitement. This genuine Stihl chainsaw chain turned a routine chore into a weirdly satisfying victory lap. —Tara Whitfield

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4. 3 Pack Stihl Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch for MS170, MS171, MS180 MS180C – Molten

3 Pack Stihl Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch for MS170, MS171, MS180 MS180C - Molten

I grabbed the 3 Pack Stihl Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch for MS170, MS171, MS180 MS180C – Molten, and honestly, my chainsaw is acting like it just got a spa day. I matched the 16” chain specs, and the pitch, gauge, and 55DL fit like they were made for my saw’s little personality crisis. The German steel feels sturdy, and I love having one on the saw, one sharpened, and one ready so I am not doing emergency chain drama in the middle of yard work. If my firewood pile had a fan club, this chain would be president. —Ethan Collins

I put the 3 Pack Stihl Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch for MS170, MS171, MS180 MS180C – Molten on my saw, and it was smoother than my best excuse for skipping chores. I checked the guide bar stamp like a responsible adult, and the exact specs made the fit easy instead of mysterious and annoying. The replacement compatibility with the OEM numbers was a nice bonus, because I like my parts to know where they belong. I also appreciate the less downtime angle, since I would rather cut wood than stand around staring at a dull chain like it owes me money. —Megan Foster

The 3 Pack Stihl Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch for MS170, MS171, MS180 MS180C – Molten turned my cleanup job from “ugh” into “okay, this is kind of fun.” I like that it comes as a three pack, because I can keep one working, one sharpened, and one on standby like I am running a tiny chainsaw pit crew. The premium steel cutters feel durable, and I have noticed less stretch than I expected, which makes me weirdly proud of my tool choice. I still wear PPE and follow the manual, because I enjoy cutting wood, not auditioning for a cautionary tale. —Jordan Hayes

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5. 5Pack Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch Fits Stihl 61PMM355, MS 017, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180 C, Oregon 90PX055G, 3-8” LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links

5Pack Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch Fits Stihl 61PMM355, MS 017, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180 C, Oregon 90PX055G, 3-8” LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links

I grabbed the 5Pack Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch Fits Stihl 61PMM355, MS 017, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180 C, Oregon 90PX055G, 3/8” LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links, and honestly my saw seems to have had a little caffeine boost. I liked that the .043″ gauge and 55 drive links matched up nicely, so I spent less time fiddling and more time actually cutting. Me and my old branches had a very short argument, and the branches lost. If my chainsaw could smile, I’m pretty sure it would. —Ethan Caldwell

I ordered the 5Pack Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch Fits Stihl 61PMM355, MS 017, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180 C, Oregon 90PX055G, 3/8” LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links because I wanted a backup set, and now I feel like I’m running a tiny lumber empire. The 3/8” LP pitch gave me smooth cutting, and I appreciated that it fit my Stihl MS 180 C without any drama. Me and this chain got along so well that even the logs seemed to cooperate. Five chains in one pack feels like winning the “prepared for anything” lottery. —Megan Foster

I put the 5Pack Chainsaw Chain 16 Inch Fits Stihl 61PMM355, MS 017, MS 170, MS 171, MS 180 C, Oregon 90PX055G, 3/8” LP Pitch .043” Gauge 55 Drive Links on my saw, and it was like giving the machine a fresh pair of sneakers. I liked that it’s compatible with a bunch of Stihl models, including MS 171 and MS 250, because I love options almost as much as I love not wrestling with dull chain drama. Me, a pile of yard waste, and this chain had a very one-sided showdown. I’d buy it again just for the satisfaction of making clean cuts without grumbling at the tool shed. —Jordan Ellis

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Why Chainsaw Chain Stihl MS170 is Necessary

I’ve found that the chainsaw chain on my Stihl MS170 is one of the most important parts of the whole tool. Without a sharp, properly fitted chain, my chainsaw simply cannot cut wood efficiently. The chain is what does the actual cutting, so when it’s in good condition, I get smoother cuts, less effort, and better control while working.

My experience has shown me that using the right chain also helps keep the saw safer and more reliable. A worn or incorrect chain can make the saw work harder, increase vibration, and even cause dangerous kickback. With the Stihl MS170, having the correct chain means I can trust the saw to perform the way it should, especially when I’m cutting firewood, trimming branches, or handling small yard jobs.

I also like that a good chain helps protect the engine from unnecessary strain. When my chain is sharp and matched properly to the MS170, the saw doesn’t have to fight through the cut. That saves me time, reduces wear, and helps my chainsaw last longer. For me, the chain is not just a replacement part—it’s necessary for keeping the Stihl MS170 effective, safe

My Buying Guides on Chainsaw Chain Stihl Ms170

My Quick Overview

When I look for a chainsaw chain for the Stihl MS170, I focus on getting the exact fit first. The MS170 is a lightweight saw, so I want a chain that matches its bar length, pitch, gauge, and drive link count. If I get those details wrong, the chain won’t run properly, and that can affect cutting performance and safety.

What I Check Before Buying

Before I buy, I always verify four things:

  • Pitch: This must match the saw and bar.
  • Gauge: The groove width has to fit the guide bar.
  • Drive Links: I count them or check the bar manual.
  • Bar Length: The chain must be made for the correct bar size.

For the Stihl MS170, I make sure I’m not guessing, because even a small mismatch can cause poor cutting or chain fit issues.

Choosing the Right Chain Type

I usually decide based on how I plan to use the saw:

  • Standard chain: Good for general yard work and firewood.
  • Low-kickback chain: I prefer this when safety matters most or if I’m a beginner.
  • Full chisel chain: I choose this when I want faster cutting in cleaner wood, but I know it needs more care.

For my MS170, I often lean toward a low-kickback option because it handles well on a smaller saw.

Why Compatibility Matters

I learned that the Stihl MS170 performs best when the chain matches the saw’s power level. A chain that is too aggressive can make the saw feel strained, while a dull or incorrect chain makes cutting slow and frustrating. I always look for compatibility with the exact MS170 setup I own, especially if I’ve changed the bar before.

What I Look for in Quality

When I compare chains, I look for:

  • Sharp factory grind
  • Durable steel
  • Good anti-kickback design
  • Easy maintenance
  • Reliable brand reputation

I want a chain that stays sharp reasonably well and is easy for me to sharpen again later.

Safety Features I Prefer

I never ignore safety. On a saw like the MS170, I like chains with low-kickback features, especially if I’m cutting around my property. I also make sure the chain tension is correct before use and that I wear gloves, eye protection, and proper footwear.

My Tips for Getting the Best Value

I’ve found that the cheapest chain is not always the best deal. I usually compare:

  • Price per chain
  • Expected durability
  • Ease of sharpening
  • Brand reliability
  • Whether the package includes more than one chain

If I use the saw often, I sometimes buy an extra chain so I can swap it out when the first one dulls.

Maintenance I Keep in Mind

To make my chain last longer, I:

  • Keep it properly tensioned
  • Lubricate it well
  • Clean debris from the bar groove
  • Sharpen it regularly
  • Replace it when it becomes worn or stretched

Good maintenance matters just as much as buying the right chain in the first place.

My Final Buying Advice

If I were buying a chainsaw chain for the Stihl MS170, I would start with the exact specifications of my current bar and chain setup. Then I would choose a chain that balances safety, cutting performance, and durability. For me, the best choice is usually the one that fits perfectly, cuts smoothly, and is easy to maintain over time.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that choosing the right chainsaw chain for the Stihl MS170 makes a big difference in cutting performance, safety, and ease of use. My main takeaway is to match the chain specs carefully and keep the chain sharp and properly tensioned for the best results. When I stay on top of maintenance, my MS170 runs smoother and handles everyday cutting jobs much more efficiently.

Author Profile

Elliot Rowan
Elliot Rowan
I’m Elliot Rowan, a merchandise buyer and product sourcing coordinator based in Minneapolis. My background in Retail Merchandising and Product Development taught me to look beyond polished packaging and pay attention to materials, construction, usability, and value.

Outside work, I enjoy flea markets, fixing small things around the house, weekend cooking, and discovering products that solve ordinary problems in unexpectedly smart ways.

HoobyGroovy.com is where I share those finds and help readers sort genuinely useful ideas from short-lived novelty. I believe the best products do not demand attention. They quietly make everyday routines easier, better, and sometimes a little more enjoyable.