Oregon R45 AdvanceCut 12-Inch Chainsaw Chain vs Oregon R56 16-Inch Chainsaw Chain

Both are Oregon low-kickback chains for small saws, so the real decision is bar length, not brand. The R45 fits 12-inch bars with 45 drive links and suits saws up to 42 cc; the R56 fits 16-inch bars with 56 drive links and a narrow-kerf 90PX cutter. Owners of both report clean cuts and long life, and Oregon's hardened rivets and chrome plating hold up well in dirty wood. Buy the one that matches your bar and drive-link count; they are not interchangeable.

• Choose the Oregon R45 if your saw runs a 12-inch bar with 45 drive links and you want a low-kickback chain for a small saw up to 42 cc.
• Choose the Oregon R56 if your saw runs a 16-inch bar with 56 drive links and you want a narrow-kerf chain that keeps a low-powered saw cutting fast.