New Stihl MS 241 C-M

[upnut]

A little background; my main saw right now is a Stihl MS 250, along with a Stihl 025 and a Stihl 011AV T . I have heated with wood exclusively for 35 years, familiar with Stihl chainsaws, started out with a Stihl 028. I started looking at pro saws after using a MS 261 and an MS441Magnum some this winter. The biggest attraction for me was the decompression valve found on the pro saws, really aided in start-ups. My MS250 is a good saw, but starting is a chore, fighting the high compression, which seems to be a common concern on this model. The 241 looks to be equivalent to the 250, with some pro saw features, and would probably last for my wood-cutting future. I am thinking the 241, a couple yellow chains, and a case of moto-mix would be a decent investment, any thoughts?
Scott B.

[DelawhereJoe]

I think you would be much happier spending the few extra $ on the ms 261 c-m. The ms241 9.9 lbs and 3.1hp, ms 261 10.8 lbs and 4.0 hp...I would choose the 261 c-m $600-620 over the 241$550...

[Chainsaw10]

I own about a dozen saws currently.  I do have a 241, a261, a 441 and 2 661's. These are all the saws I own that have the decompression valve. To be honest, I see zero difference in the difficulty pull starting, whether using the decomp button or not.  I use saws daily , full time ...and still start the saws sometimes with the button pressed, and sometimes don't. I really try to feel a difference, but it feels exactly the same to me. At most it's an extremely minimal difference in the amount of muscle needed to pull start when using/not using decomp valve.

[Greyhound]

I think you would be much happier spending the few extra $ on the ms 261 c-m. The ms241 9.9 lbs and 3.1hp, ms 261 10.8 lbs and 4.0 hp...I would choose the 261 c-m $600-620 over the 241$550...

A little background; my main saw right now is a Stihl MS 250, along with a Stihl 025 and a Stihl 011AV T . I have heated with wood exclusively for 35 years, familiar with Stihl chainsaws, started out with a Stihl 028. I started looking at pro saws after using a MS 261 and an MS441Magnum some this winter. The biggest attraction for me was the decompression valve found on the pro saws, really aided in start-ups. My MS250 is a good saw, but starting is a chore, fighting the high compression, which seems to be a common concern on this model. The 241 looks to be equivalent to the 250, with some pro saw features, and would probably last for my wood-cutting future. I am thinking the 241, a couple yellow chains, and a case of moto-mix would be a decent investment, any thoughts?
Scott B.

Yep, MS261 is a much better all-around firewood saw than the MS241.  The 241 is much more of "niche" saw.

[upnut]

Thanks for the input! Cutting side-by-side, my ms250 is noticeably faster than my brother's 261. He eventually did some research and modified the muffler and bought an adjustable carb to tune it up, and went from a 20" bar to a 16" bar. It livened up, but didn't make me want to buy one. At 62, I must be in that niche that looks at a lighter saw with decompression and thinks...hmmmm... :D

Scott B.

[ladylake]

I have way too many saws and use light weight 40cc saws a lot, that 3/8 lp chain really cuts on those saws.  Steve

[DelawhereJoe]

The 261 that you used was it a c-m or not ?

[upnut]

The 261 that you used was it a c-m or not ?

Not M-Tronics, and he likes to tinker so he didn't mind too much. I am more inclined to gas and go, so the 241 c-m seems like a good fit.
Scott B.

[Canadiana]

261cm was never a slow starter but i also don't mind pulling a few more times (can't recall how many pulls req'd). 16" bar keeps me happy with this saw. Stihl says it will do a 20". It might make enough bar oil but 20" seems a stretch and i only cut softwoods. Stihl also pretends their saws have more hp than other manufacturers IMHO. I think its silly. Stihl make some great saws. The 261 certainly is in my experience for weight and $. I've never used a ms250 or 241 or 025, if only I had friend with one...     Nice wood pile. Looks like you don't need more power for bigger stuff. Are your current saws easy n reliable starters? Devil you know beats the devil you don't

[upnut]

    Nice wood pile. Looks like you don't need more power for bigger stuff. Are your current saws easy n reliable starters? Devil you know beats the devil you don't

Thanks! The 025 and the 011 start easy and run well, just a little slower. The MS250 cuts fast, just a bear to crank over when starting. I can get by with them, but that 241 sure looks inviting.....Scott B.

[Kbeitz]

I have a MS250 that starts so easy...

[sweetjetskier]

I have about 3 gallons of fuel through my 241 and for limbing, bucking firewood poles, tractor saw, that is easy to start, sips fuel, balances well, built like a tank, and cuts so smooth, you cant help but smile while putting it through its paces.

See if your local Stihl dealer will let you try one, it is an impressive saw after about 10-12 tanks of fuel.

[George Zarifis]

I have had the MS 261 C-M for 2 years now and I have not been disapointed. I highly recommend it. As for the decompression valve, I found that it starts easier without it. The force required to start it is very reasonable. I found that using the dec. valve often results in a flooded cylinder and then you have to remove the sparkplug to get it to start again. Always starts with six pulls when cold and with just one short pull when hot. Also it's extremely smooth to run. It burns clean and there are absolutely no vibrations. Great firewood saw!

[khntr85]

A little background; my main saw right now is a Stihl MS 250, along with a Stihl 025 and a Stihl 011AV T . I have heated with wood exclusively for 35 years, familiar with Stihl chainsaws, started out with a Stihl 028. I started looking at pro saws after using a MS 261 and an MS441Magnum some this winter. The biggest attraction for me was the decompression valve found on the pro saws, really aided in start-ups. My MS250 is a good saw, but starting is a chore, fighting the high compression, which seems to be a common concern on this model. The 241 looks to be equivalent to the 250, with some pro saw features, and would probably last for my wood-cutting future. I am thinking the 241, a couple yellow chains, and a case of moto-mix would be a decent investment, any thoughts?
Scott B.

  Hello sir, I love hearing stories like yours.........my first Stihl saw was an ms250.....I hear a lot of "opinions" about the ms250.....I personally know for a fact that they are a great saw all things considered.....I have pro saws(o24, 026, ms362, ms461, and a lot of rebuilt clamshells LOl)....I will say it agian with "proper" maintenance and knowing how and when to sharpen a chain, the ms250 will serve any man well...I still take my ms250 out.... i recently took her out to get a few loads of shagbark hickory, she is no speed demon in hardwood, but with a light hand, sharp chain, and a little common sense she did well!!!

   No one has asked what size bar do you plan to use.... if it is a 16" bar you are going to use, go see what the ms241 and ms261 both feel like with a 16" bar at your dealer...I did look up the weights for you the ms250 is 10.1 pounds, the ms241 is 9.9 pounds(both powerheads only)....

  If you like the ms241 and it feels good in "your" hands, BUY IT right then and their..... I live by the motto you only live once, have no regrets....I went threw the same thing when I was "thinking" about buying a ms461.....once I got the saw I used it a lot more than I anticipated, and thought why didn't you buy this a long time ago!!!!!



PS:I wish you lived close to me I have a 023 that I got in a batch of 20 non-running Stihl saws....this 023 actually has a decompression button on it....it has a fried top-end and it's in my "to-do" pile ...

[upnut]

sweetjetskier- You pretty well summed up exactly why I'm interested in a 241, thanks!

khntr85- I haven't tangled with shagbark hickory in years, but distinctly remember that it WILL test a saw! I plan on using a 16" bar, and spent at least an hour at the local Stihl dealer handling several saws including the 241 and MS250. Those two are quite similar, with the advantages of a pro saw setting the 241 apart.

George Zarifis- I misspoke earlier, the saw I was using is a MS260 PRO. Nice saw just not what I'm looking for.

Thanks all,
Scott B.

[khntr85]

Well let us know what you think if the 241, "when" you get her ...