New MS261

[Magicman]

Yup, my MS362 now has a baby MS261 brother.
My MS362 always travels with me to trim log butts, remove limb stubs and do any heavier work.  The MS170 has been doing the light trimming and does a good job but I find myself needing a slightly longer bar and pushing it beyond it's power capabilities.  I am reluctant to lay one saw down and go to the tool box to retrieve the larger saw so I end up sorta "getting by" even though it is a three pull cold and one pull for the rest of the day saw.

Of course I do my homework here on the FF reading whatever suggestions, etc. that you guys post, Soooo.....


 
My dealer asked whether I wanted the CM or a non-CM and just as I did with the MS362, I left that decision up to him.  His recommendation for me and my use was to get the non-CM which is what I got e/w an 18" bar and an extra 325 chain.  

I have some firewood logs pulled up so maybe I can get the feel of it this weekend.

[Walnut Beast]

Very nice Magic!!

[firefighter ontheside]

You copycat!  You wanted to be just like me with a 362 and a 261.  Although I think you had your 362 before I did.  They both work great for me.   I have 18" on the 261 and 20" on the 362.

[Magicman]

Yup, my MS362 wears a 20" bar.  I have a 25" in the toolbox but it very seldom gets used.  I will let time decide whether I get another bar for the MS261.  

I will now have to decide what becomes of the MS170.  I have an MS310 and the old 028AV at the Cabin so it is not needed there.  I am hopeful that the new MS261 will be as pleasurable to use as the MS170 was.  

[barbender]

It will be😊 They are a nice smooth, torquey little saw.

[lxskllr]

I impulsively bought a 170 I found used cause it was priced nice($116 taxes and everything) for being in virtually brand new condition. I didn't really need it, so I had some regrets after getting it home. It's turned into a nice saw to grab for a few quick cuts around the yard. It's my "quickie" saw for when I don't want to commit to something bigger, and pull all the gear out. Easy to start, easy on gas, fast to grab. It's worth $116 for that. You should be able to find a place for a 170, even if isn't for a hard working job.

[Magicman]

I am quite fond of the Ryobi 40V battery saw for the simple yard stuff.  I just quickly counted up 12 chainsaws counting the two pole saws, so there is no shortage of chainsaws  around here.  

Of course the two Homelite XL12's that do not have a chain brake will never be used again.


 
And I have the scars on my upper right arm to prove why.  16 stitches.

[PoginyHill]

I really like my MS170. It's dirt cheap and works very well for anything up to 4-5". I'm sure it's a loss leader for Stihl. I recall when I bought my first one, the sales guy did everything in his power to tell me I wasn't going to like it and I really needed the next larger one....At more than 2X the price.

[Magicman]

I always considered the MS170 as a "disposal" saw except mine just kept on keeping on.  It was $200 out of the door with a spare chain, oil, & files.  I just need to find a home for it.

My only problem was that it was under powered for my sawmill use.  It is a small saw and I found that I needed a mid-sized saw.  The MS362 is perfect for my large saw.

The specs on this MS261 are almost identical to my old 028AV which I love but it lives at the Cabin with the MS310. 

[B.C.C. Lapp]

I gave my son in kaw a 261 and he loves it.   I tried it a few times and I liked it as well.   Plenty of power and weighs next to nothing.

[69bronco]

Bought a 261 last year, it's a little screamer! I put a 20" bar on (a little easier on the back). It's an impressive saw! Just go easy on the rakers :D

[firefighter ontheside]

I had thought about buying a 170 for a small saw, but I haven't pulled the trigger, because I'm also interested in buying a Dewalt battery saw.

[lxskllr]

The 170 is ok. If I were going that route new, I'd be more interested in the echo 310. It's $20 more, similar specs, and probably better built, though I haven't used that model to confirm.

[hedgerow]

Magicman I think you will really like the 261. I am three years on my 261 and its buck a lot of hedge firewood. Have had zero issues with it. Mine is the CM model they don't seem to sell the non-CM models in my area. I stopped at John Deere yesterday to pickup some parts and looked at a new 261 CM they only had one with a 18 inch bar I run 16 inch. $620.00 out the door no tax on farm. I probably would have came home with if it had a 16 inch bar. He said one of there other stores probably would have one and the last time that was the case.  I need to buy another one as my two helpers like the 261 and I should have one for each. 

[Magicman]

I specifically got the 18" bar because the MS170 had a 16" bar and it was often too short.

My dealer sells i500's and plenty of CM saws, but he made a special order for this non-CM for me.  I don't know why but I trust his judgment.  I know that the non-CM MS362 has been a winner for me.

[Hilltop366]

I got 261CM last spring and like it so far. Sold my 12 year old 361 arctic for about 75% of what I paid for it to a guy in Calgary, it was in very good condition still on the original bar (1/2 worn). 

I may miss the heated handles if I cut much in the winter but lately I do most of my cutting in the spring so not a big deal so far.

[PoginyHill]

I specifically got the 18" bar because the MS170 had a 16" bar and it was often too short.

My dealer sells i500's and plenty of CM saws, but he made a special order for this non-CM for me.  I don't know why but I trust his judgment.  I know that the non-CM MS362 has been a winner for me.

Funny.. I asked for a 14" bar. Had a 16" on my first one and never needed the length. I only use it for small stuff and the extra bar length just gets in the way and adds weight.

[sawguy21]

It must be a regional thing, I sold quite a few 026/MS260's and almost never with a 16" bar. Most went out with the 18" and the odd one with a 20". We had a couple go out with 24" hard tips, had to go with Oregon. The marine salvage company was cutting pilings in tidewater near the mouth of the river, talk about a filthy working environment! Needless to say that didn't last long.

[gspren]

I've had my non CM 261 for quite a while now and it's been great. The first day I used it I was a bit disapointed in power but after a few tanks of gas it started impressing me, seems it needed breaking in before really running.

[trapper]

I have a241 and a261 both cm. The 241 starts easy and runs great. The 261 starts hard but runs good once started.  Had it. To 2 dealers and on the computer both say nothing wrong so am disappointed with the 261

[barbender]

 I've had my Cm261 for about 6 years, but it gets pretty low usage (it's on its second chain🤷). But it starts easy and runs great. It may go from running at 65°, and then not get used again for 2 months and it's now 0°. It adjusts seamlessly. 

 Trapper, I'm sorry yours hasn't treated you as well. I'm disappointed that the Stihl dealers didn't appear to investigate the issue far enough.

[Magicman]

All dealers and their respective abilities are not created equal.  

In my mind I know that my dealer is more "old school" which is why he was reluctant for me to get a CM saw, although he does have and does sell them.

I believe that with both saws, he was matching the saws to my use profile. 

[doc henderson]

I had a 661 they could not fix, full credit towards an 880.  my 261cm was acting up and hard to start warm.  My dealer got his rep to approve the repair under warranty even though it tested OK x 2.  Intermittent problem, prob. more when warm.  no more trouble after replaced with the latest version.  They do not like to advertise or admit, that some have problems.  So, it is up to the dealer to push.

[booman]

My MS261 has been one of my favorite chainsaws and a real go to.  Recently had it hopped up and it is really now my favorite.  Not sure I understand everything the guy did but in short he raised the compression from 150 to 210 psi and adjusted port timing.  Removed material from combustion chamber and base, widened the exhaust and raised the primary transfer.  Feels very tight and starts easier.

[booman]

Starting Stihl chainsaws has been discussed here before but most of them have their own starting profile.  And most of the time if you pull until it burbles, it might be flooded by then.