New Member, New Saw

1Zach1 · October 30, 2013, 06:25:10 PM

Just got home with this. Stihl MS 261 C-M with 18" bar. This isn't my first saw, but is the first saw I've ever had to special order and never fondled by the masses. Obviously haven't had a chance to get her going and into some wood, but hopefully that will be this weekend. Enough talk, pictures!

Pics removed by admin-must be in gallery

thecfarm · October 30, 2013, 06:41:43 PM

1Zach1,welcome to the forum. Other saw died?

beenthere · October 30, 2013, 06:42:33 PM

Another welcome to the Forestry Forum.

Saw looks nice and makes a nice center piece for dinner tonight.. ;D

Woodpulp · October 30, 2013, 06:53:07 PM

Beautiful. Bought a 261 about a year ago myself. Looks like a newly designed Stihl scabbard on it. My 261 with an 18" bar has the shorty scabbard on it, but I'd like a full length version. Is that scabbard made for 18" bars - can't see the full bar in your pic's. Thanks

1Zach1 · October 30, 2013, 07:49:19 PM

Quote from: thecfarm on October 30, 2013, 06:41:43 PM
1Zach1,welcome to the forum. Other saw died?

Are you wearing a wire for my wife? Then yes, yes it died......

Quote from: beenthere on October 30, 2013, 06:42:33 PM
Another welcome to the Forestry Forum.

Saw looks nice and makes a nice center piece for dinner tonight.. ;D

Thanks you the welcome. Yeah, that went over well....

Quote from: Woodpulp on October 30, 2013, 06:53:07 PM
Beautiful. Bought a 261 about a year ago myself. Looks like a newly designed Stihl scabbard on it. My 261 with an 18" bar has the shorty scabbard on it, but I'd like a full length version. Is that scabbard made for 18" bars - can't see the full bar in your pic's. Thanks

I wasn't expecting it either, but it does cover the entire bar. The manual states that each bar length has it's own scabbard up to 35", where you would need an extension.

thecfarm · October 30, 2013, 07:52:03 PM

Zach,us men have to stick together. :D I'm not a chainsaw collector,but do know what you mean. :(

jpdocdave · October 30, 2013, 09:00:07 PM

Welcome aboard, great lookin saw.

HotRail · October 30, 2013, 09:18:18 PM

Good choice....don't listen to SawTroll...

john_bud · October 30, 2013, 09:29:39 PM

Nice saw. I bought one just months before the "M" variation came out with all the fancy bells and whistles of the smart no-adjustment carb.

Oh, mine lasted about 10 tanks of fuel until the muffler gained a few extra holes ;). It runs better with easier breathing.

Fatcougar · October 31, 2013, 02:30:49 PM

Nice saw! I have had the earlier version of this saw ( 026 ) for around 15 years now....It has started every time I have gone to use it and have had no issues whatsoever.
I mostly just cut up firewood so its not like I put the hours on it like a professional would, but it has been super reliable.

nmurph · October 31, 2013, 02:35:53 PM

Quote from: Fatcougar on October 31, 2013, 02:30:49 PM
Nice saw! I have had the earlier version of this saw ( 026 ) for around 15 years now....It has started every time I have gone to use it and have had no issues whatsoever.
I mostly just cut up firewood so its not like I put the hours on it like a professional would, but it has been super reliable.

An 026 is not an earlier version of the 261.

FishyD · October 31, 2013, 02:37:17 PM

Nice saw. Just ordered a 261 M-Tronic myself to replace an old 009 I have been using for limbing. I think the 261 is a perfect firewood saw. Definitely an interesting scabbard, I have never seen a Stihl one like that before. The 25" one for my 441 is actually 2 pieces that slide in and out adjust from like 16" to 28".

Fatcougar · October 31, 2013, 02:55:52 PM

An 026 is not an earlier version of the 261.

So the product evoloution has been 026, 026PRO, 260, 261........ each one of these being a replacement saw in the pro line for a previous model..... the saws have had new features added to them and changes made as time goes by, but if you go into a Stihl dealership and ask: What is the latest version to replace my 026.... guess what they will say. Your comment seems a bit picky...... :

nmurph · October 31, 2013, 03:11:57 PM

No, it's not picky, it's accurate. Replacement, yes. New version, no...and dealerships are often the worst place to find correct information about saws.

Also, you left out the 024/024S.

Fatcougar · October 31, 2013, 03:19:50 PM

The 024 is a Professional grade 42 cc saw, so that would be a different saw line than the Professional 50cc saw line - nope, didn't forget anything.
Sooooo........ the guy that has been rebuilding and working on the saws at my saw shop for the last 20 years knows less than you about Stihl chainsaws???

rattler · October 31, 2013, 03:55:07 PM

Nice saw Zack congrat's

FishyD · October 31, 2013, 04:00:14 PM

I think its kind of semantics: new version vs. replacement, c'mon. Stihl dropped their 0 first (026) designations 10 or more years ago in favor of the 0 last (260) designations and now going into 1 and 2 last (261, 362) for upgraded models. The MS261 is Stihl's current 50cc pro saw, the 026's were the old ones. Whether the 261 is an evolution of the earlier 026's (new version) or completely new design (replacement) seems kind of irrelevant. How much of the 261's design needs to be borrowed from the 026 series to warrant "new version" vs. "replacement", 51% or what?

Both are great saws!

beenthere · October 31, 2013, 04:13:12 PM

Reminds me of when I was over on the AS forum.... :

FishyD · October 31, 2013, 04:31:23 PM

With AS down, I think there will be a mass migration. I have read stuff on here forever but just recently joined myself. I hope FF keeps the friendly atmosphere.

nmurph · October 31, 2013, 04:43:20 PM

Quote from: Fatcougar on October 31, 2013, 03:19:50 PM
The 024 is a Professional grade 42 cc saw, so that would be a different saw line than the Professional 50cc saw line - nope, didn't forget anything.
Sooooo........ the guy that has been rebuilding and working on the saws at my saw shop for the last 20 years knows less than you about Stihl chainsaws???

There is almost nothing shared bw the 026 and the 261...just because it replaced it doesn't mean it's a new version. You chose your words carelessly and I pointed it out.

Shotgun · October 31, 2013, 04:45:57 PM

Any chance of getting some legitimate pictures posted so we can see what you're talking about? I see that the illegal pics were removed, as they will always be, but maybe the OP can do it properly so the posts make a little more sense.

As the saying goes, 'we like pictures', however, pictures need to meet the Forestry Forum requirements.

Thanks.

Fatcougar · October 31, 2013, 05:02:27 PM

There is almost nothing shared bw the 026 and the 261...just because it replaced it doesn't mean it's a new version. You chose your words carelessly and I pointed it out.

You crack me up.... :D have a nice day!

thecfarm · October 31, 2013, 05:08:21 PM

Shotgun,I saw the pictures. Just google Stihl MS 261 C-M to get the idea.

ktoom · October 31, 2013, 05:20:57 PM

Quote from: beenthere on October 31, 2013, 04:13:12 PM
Reminds me of when I was over on the AS forum.... :

I must agree lololol

Shotgun · October 31, 2013, 05:37:54 PM

Quote from: thecfarm on October 31, 2013, 05:08:21 PM
Shotgun,I saw the pictures. Just google Stihl MS 261 C-M to get the idea.

Shouldn't have to Google to see the picture. It just needs to be done properly for the benefit of all. If one is going to post pictures, one ought to learn to do it according to FF requirements. It's a historical thing. Just saying.

Andyshine77 · October 31, 2013, 06:05:45 PM

Quote from: Fatcougar on October 31, 2013, 05:02:27 PM
There is almost nothing shared bw the 026 and the 261...just because it replaced it doesn't mean it's a new version. You chose your words carelessly and I pointed it out.

You crack me up.... :D have a nice day!

Nmurph is correct, they have nothing in common. The 024, 024S, 026 and 260 were all based on the same crank case The 290, 310 and 290 share the same common case as well.

Paul_H · October 31, 2013, 07:05:31 PM

I know what Fat Cougar meant much the same as the Model T Ford was replaced by the Model A but the parts weren't interchangeable. Lets not get to hair splitting,it's chainsaws not rocket science.

nmurph · October 31, 2013, 07:28:20 PM

It's not splitting hairs to correct a factually incorrect statement. If he had said the 260 was a new version of the of the 026 I would have not had a problem.

Quote from: FishyD on October 31, 2013, 04:00:14 PM...How much of the 261's design needs to be borrowed from the 026 series to warrant "new version" vs. "replacement", 51% or what?

Both are great saws!

That is a good question. But the difference bw the 026/260 and the 261 is more 95%.

Paul_H · October 31, 2013, 08:26:51 PM

Splitting hairs.

nmurph · October 31, 2013, 08:29:55 PM

Quote from: Paul_H on October 31, 2013, 08:26:51 PM
Splitting hairs.

I'm sorry, but where I come from, words mean things. You can gloss over inaccurate statements if you want.

Paul_H · October 31, 2013, 08:35:49 PM

I guess I understood Cougars meaning and thought maybe others did too but I have watched The Big Bang Theory and see where you are coming from.

beenthere · October 31, 2013, 08:40:02 PM

nmurph

QuoteI'm sorry, but where I come from, words mean things.

Where do you come from?

nmurph · October 31, 2013, 08:41:52 PM

I TOTALLY get his point. But when I pointed out a FACTUAL error in what he said, this argument ensued.

I don't waste my time on sophomoric humor, I prefer to waste it on people who don't have a grasp on the English language.

I'm out.

AdkStihl · October 31, 2013, 08:42:44 PM

Put an 026 and an MS260 in front of you and disassemble if you wish. You will notice many similarities, in fact they are the same saw. Now.....put a 261 on the bench and begin your inspection. You will find that the only thing interchangeable with an 026/260 is the recoil rope.

I totally agree with nmurph and I even understood the op........but attitude......yeah....that needs to stay on AS

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