Author Topic: Stihl MS 261, experiences or opinions? (Read 4150 times)

gspren · « **on:** October 23, 2011, 07:37:02 pm »

I bought an 041 new about 32 years ago and an 044 about 16 years ago, they both still run well. I have my 60th birthday coming in about a month and thought maybe I would buy myself a lighter weight saw for the smaller stuff. I have an OWB for heat plus cut some for the fireplace at our hunting camp. I live on a farm with about 25+ acres of woodland so most of my cutting is close to home. After 40 years in a machine shop I like quality cutting equipment but my nearest dealer pushes the 250, I don't think he deals with serious wood cutters. What do you think of the 261 or is it too close in size/weight to my 044?
Gary

kenskip1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2011, 08:51:52 pm »

Gary, you are in the wrong forum. Plenty of good things to say on this saw, Kene

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/179690.htm

gspren · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2011, 09:08:50 am »

Quote from: kenskip1 on October 23, 2011, 08:51:52 pm

Gary, you are in the wrong forum. Plenty of good things to say on this saw, Kene

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/179690.htm

Thanks for the link, they seem to like the 261 but what makes this the wrong forum? Anti Stihl?

Jeff · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2011, 11:42:44 am »

Quote from: gspren on October 24, 2011, 09:08:50 am

Thanks for the link, they seem to like the 261 but what makes this the wrong forum? Anti Stihl?

Good Question. kenskip1, why in the world would you tell him this is the wrong forum and send him somewhere else?

We are hardly anti Stihl. Look to the left. Stihl is a Forestry Forum sponsor. One of the reasons my Wife bought me my first Stihl for my birthday this year. Never had a new saw before. Only used ones. Under recommendations from members of THIS Forum, she bought me a MS 362. After running over 5 gallons of fuel through it this last couple months, I'm satisfied that it is the best present I have ever received for any birthday.

doctorb · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2011, 12:17:27 pm »

From somebody who admittedly knows little about the great universe of chainsaws, except whether they are working well or not, I own a 261 and think its the best saw I've ever had.

superwd6 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2011, 06:58:14 pm »

Seems to have a good reputation from what I've read. Some think the Husqvarna 346xp is a little better but in Ontario the 346xp Is $778 with two chains & the Stihl 261 Is $599 with hat,chain & box

. I'd go with the 261 if you don't have a favorite

gspren · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2011, 07:03:39 pm »

Thanks for the info, I was more than a little surprised when told this was the wrong forum. Why do some dealers try to push the ocasional use saws without even asking how much wood you cut? My wife says its because I often wear old tee shirts and worn jeans that make me look poor, I think that should just show I'm not afraid to work. When I bought the 044 there was a local dealer that sold saw mill supplies and they catered to serious cutters, I never regreted getting the 044.
Gary

T Welsh · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2011, 07:20:15 pm »

Anti Stihl. I am a tied and trued orange and white fan. I will not bash huskys,johnnie,s or any other saw. (my father taught me,that if you do not have something nice to say!!! say nothing at all) Tim

kenskip1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2011, 08:56:22 pm »

Forum? Well I guess that I put my foot wear it is not suppose to go.I just meant that the other site had just recently did a review on this saw.Hope that I did not ruffle to many feathers, Ken

kenskip1 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2011, 09:46:57 pm »

Anti Stihl? Hardly, Just ask my O25, O28,O41.All stihl working, although an upgrade may be in the cards sometime soon.
Any yes I am human and I have been known to make a foe"paw from time to time.Who doesn't, Ken

acco1840 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2011, 05:02:31 am »

I had an earlier 026 and it went well untill I flattenned it with 518 Cat skidder

The bar fell off, The fuel fell out and it stopped.

BobR · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2011, 11:20:10 am »

I'm 53 and had an 024 for 20 years. It was a great saw for use around our farm acreage/woodlot. In February, I gave it to my son who needed a saw and grew up with that 024 and really wanted it.
When I went to the local Stihl dealers (my original dealer retired and closed shop years ago) most of them also pushed the MS 250 - in their defense, there are not many pro loggers in southern MN.
I have friends and family who have 250s and they are fine saws for the money, but do not really compare to the pro saws. I was also now looking for a saw that will hopefully last me the rest of my chainsawing life.
One dealer in the area had one MS 261 in stock. l had read good reviews on it, it felt good in my hands, and 20 years of trouble-free service with the 024 clinched the deal. I've been running the 261 for eight month now and LOVE it. Mine has a 16" bar with RMC yellow chain on it. It's such a joy to run that I'm on the look out around the acreage for opportunities to use it. My wife thinks I've gone a little saw crazy. I tell her that I'm making my $560 investment pay for itself cleaning up the acreage. I've offered to let her use it (she has never ran a saw) and she declined. I think if she tried it, I would never get it back. Anyway, I think you made a great choice with the MS 261 and that it will serve you well.

Regards, Bob R.

CT Trapper · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2011, 10:13:46 pm »

A great saw, you will LOVE the air filter.
I have an 18" on mine.
If I needed a 2nd 50CC saw, I would by the same thing.

DandB Mack · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:30:44 am »

Great saw. If you've ever run a 260, then you will notice the air filtration difference. Captured bar nuts are nice as well. Great limbing and firewood saw.

quietrangr · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2011, 09:55:27 pm »

The 261 uses a large mount bar, which is about a quarter pound heavier in the Oregon narrow kerf line. It also is .6 pounds heavier than the 346, for a total of .85 pounds heavier than the 346 Husky.

gspren · « **Reply #15 on:** October 31, 2011, 05:41:24 pm »

Quote from: quietrangr on October 28, 2011, 09:55:27 pm

The 261 uses a large mount bar, which is about a quarter pound heavier in the Oregon narrow kerf line. It also is .6 pounds heavier than the 346, for a total of .85 pounds heavier than the 346 Husky.

I have read good things about the Husky but there aren't many dealers around and they tend to be hardware stores without dedicated small engine mechanics, at least around here the Stihl dealers tend to be mower shops with mechanics.

gspren · « **Reply #16 on:** November 11, 2011, 09:57:07 pm »

Well I guess I'm done looking, went out today and bought the 261 that I asked about, tomorrow I'll give it a workout. I hope it doesn't give me too much of a workout.
Gary

ladylake · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2011, 04:37:32 am »

That's the only minus about the 261, it's not as light as the old 260 . The 250 would be quite a bit lighter and i think Stihl is coming out with a 241?? that's quite a bit lighter than the 261. Getting close to 60 also I find myself using my 40cc 13# ready to cut saws a lot, with that nk chain they cut good. Steve

SawTroll · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2011, 11:51:13 am »

The MS261 is just too large and heavy for a 50cc saw, to be of any interest at all. The handling in the woods will be very far from the state-of-art 346xp!

kenskip1 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2011, 07:40:56 pm »

Here is what others are saying about this saw, Ken

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/185254.htm

News:

Author Topic: Stihl MS 261, experiences or opinions? (Read 4150 times)