I’ve always been shocked when I look at the maintenance intervals of parts in the owners manuals.... I’d bet going by the book that thing has had 4 lifetimes....
Those grooves aren't doing anything positive for the chain. Could be accelerating the chain wear, but I'm just guessing. Think of your truck having to drive in dried ruts all the time.
Perhaps it’s because I cut too many of those rocks that look just like branches in the twilight, but can’t recall ever having chain wear from anything but sharpening, trouble me in theory or in practice.
I'll second that. I have a MS180 and although I've got a full collection of pro saws, my 180 gets used all the time for brush work, straitening limbs to drag/chip and other small tasks.
I’d change it over to a rim system were it my saw. It’ll STIHL run and cut but you are wearing out components at a much quicker rate. While more expensive initially, the replaceable rim system is cheaper in the long run