Buy MS261C or keep MS361

[jeepinmatt]

Background: Current stable is an MS361 and an 046 Magnum. The 046 isn't going anywhere since it's the first saw I ever bought, and I just like it. I've never loved the 361, and only use it when the 046 is out of fuel or needs a chain. I've ran a 261 a few years ago and was impressed. I cut firewood for myself/friends/family and mess around with tree work as a side job.

Fast forward to today: It was a frustrating day in chainsaw land, as my 046 unknowingly sat upside down for a few minutes and got completely flooded and wouldn't crank. I was forced to use the 361 to limb and buck up a 100ft tall 3ft diameter red oak.

When I took the 361 out of the case, there was a significant pool of oil that ends up on the truck and my pants and anything the saw gets near before being sat down on the ground ten times. Strike 1. This was not a surprise as this saw has always leaked oil out the oiler really bad. The surprise was the burning sensation on my leg after 5 minutes of running it because of the fuel leaking out the cap. Strike 2. And then i had to cut a bunch of wood with it. Even with a 18" bar, it just doesn't come close to the power of my 046 running a 25" bar. Running the 25" bar was downright aggravating as the 361 just doesn't have the 046 torque. Strike 3.

So I'm at a turning point. Send the 361 off to be ported or buy a 261 and get it ported? The 361 leaks are easy enough to fix so that's really not an issue, just annoyances I don't want to mess with on a backup saw. I feel like I could get decent money for the 361, probably enough to pickup a good used 261.

Don't really want to tread down the Husky or Dolmar path, as I like having interchangeable bar/chain/parts etc and there are no Dolmar or Husky dealers nearby. Plus the Stihls have the right handle orientation and spacing for me. They feel right in my hand and the Huskys don't. Not sure about Dolmar.

So what's the internet chainsaw wisdom say?

Since everybody loves picture and this post is already excessively long...

 

[jeepinmatt]

To add to my thoughts a little, I'm considering to 261 because I feel like it complements the 046 better. I love the smoothness of the 361, but it's not that much lighter than the 046, and has nowhere near the power. The 261 I ran a couple years ago seemed stronger than my 361 (I think it was a modded 261, but I don't know what exactly). And the 261 felt alot more nimble than the 361.

 

[Andyshine77]

A 50cc and 70cc is the best combination out there. The 361 was an over hyped saw IMHO, so are most 60cc saws. I say you cant go wrong selling off the 361 and getting the light nimble 261, which is the best 50cc saw on the market right now.

 

[CR888]

The 261 is a great saw stock and modded, but so is the 361. 361's have a great following for a reason and a preferred by many over the 362. The latest edition 362 changes things a bit but if I was you and the fact you have a 460 I'd get the latest edition 261 run it stock for a while and the get it ported if you want.

 

[hseII]

Background: Current stable is an MS361 and an 046 Magnum. The 046 isn't going anywhere since it's the first saw I ever bought, and I just like it. I've never loved the 361, and only use it when the 046 is out of fuel or needs a chain. I've ran a 261 a few years ago and was impressed. I cut firewood for myself/friends/family and mess around with tree work as a side job.

Fast forward to today: It was a frustrating day in chainsaw land, as my 046 unknowingly sat upside down for a few minutes and got completely flooded and wouldn't crank. I was forced to use the 361 to limb and buck up a 100ft tall 3ft diameter red oak.

When I took the 361 out of the case, there was a significant pool of oil that ends up on the truck and my pants and anything the saw gets near before being sat down on the ground ten times. Strike 1. This was not a surprise as this saw has always leaked oil out the oiler really bad. The surprise was the burning sensation on my leg after 5 minutes of running it because of the fuel leaking out the cap. Strike 2. And then i had to cut a bunch of wood with it. Even with a 18" bar, it just doesn't come close to the power of my 046 running a 25" bar. Running the 25" bar was downright aggravating as the 361 just doesn't have the 046 torque. Strike 3.

So I'm at a turning point. Send the 361 off to be ported or buy a 261 and get it ported? The 361 leaks are easy enough to fix so that's really not an issue, just annoyances I don't want to mess with on a backup saw. I feel like I could get decent money for the 361, probably enough to pickup a good used 261.

Don't really want to tread down the Husky or Dolmar path, as I like having interchangeable bar/chain/parts etc and there are no Dolmar or Husky dealers nearby. Plus the Stihls have the right handle orientation and spacing for me. They feel right in my hand and the Huskys don't. Not sure about Dolmar.

So what's the internet chainsaw wisdom say?

Since everybody loves picture and this post is already excessively long...
View attachment 587012
View attachment 587013

@drf256

OP,
Don't give up on that 361 just yet.

I like baby saws, but It sounds like you need more stones than an MS261 has anyway.

More input to follow.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I've had a 460 and a 361 at the same time. Don't own either anymore.

I don't know what kind of work you mostly do, and what kind of material you're working with, but personally, I use the snot out of my 261 version 2. It's a great little saw. Mine is completely stock, and I have a 16" 3/8 bar and chain on it. It does good bucking oak with the bar buried, but I think any more bar would be tough, unless you went down to .325.

Like Andyshine says, a 261&046 would be an excellent combination, but the problem I see is that the 261 isn't really a backup to the 046. If you find yourself in another situation where your big saw isn't available, the 261 isn't really the saw to toss a 25" bar on and go fell trees.

So, the solution is to sell the 361, buy a 261 (version 2 of course), and buy another 046. Or maybe a 660...

 

[svk]

I'd definitely get a 261 v2. Lots of guys like those 361's so you should get good resale.

 

[BrokenSVT]

This is like a crack fiend asking for addiction advice in a dark alley lol!

I own an 026, 361 and now a ported 046. There definitely isn't enough separation between the three models to justify them all stock.

Playing the devil's advocate however, opens another option. That 046 no doubt has some age on her now. Have her gone through and rebuilt so she's good for another 20 years. While you're at it, get a woods port job on her. That will justify ownership of the 361 as a backup and lighter-duty saw. Pick up your 261 as a nice light duty, limbing, ground work saw.
I really don't see how you can go wrong owning all three.

 

[jeepinmatt]

I don't know what kind of work you mostly do, and what kind of material you're working with, but personally, I use the snot out of my 261 version 2. It's a great little saw. Mine is completely stock, and I have a 16" 3/8 bar and chain on it. It does good bucking oak with the bar buried, but I think any more bar would be tough, unless you went down to .325.

Like Andyshine says, a 261&046 would be an excellent combination, but the problem I see is that the 261 isn't really a backup to the 046. If you find yourself in another situation where your big saw isn't available, the 261 isn't really the saw to toss a 25" bar on and go fell trees.

Most of the time, I'm dealing with trees in the 10-20" range, and only see a 24"+ tree once every year or two. But I've done 3 in the past 2 weeks (and the firewood pipeline is getting very full!). This was last week after 2 trees, now there's a 3rd!

 

[jeepinmatt]

I'd definitely get a 261 v2. Lots of guys like those 361's so you should get good resale.

What's the difference between a v1 and a v2? I'm sure there's a thread, but searching 261 on here brings up about a million results.

That 046 no doubt has some age on her now. Have her gone through and rebuilt so she's good for another 20 years.

It definitely has some age on it, i think its an early 90s model. But it still has great compression and runs like a champ (except when you're a dumbass and let it flood), so why get it rebuilt? Porting would be nice, but I'm happy with the power it has, so I was thinking to spend the money on a saw that needs more power.

The downside of it is its size. It's lighter, but about the same size as an 036. A well built 036 will blow any 261 out of the water though. There's no replacement for displacement.

The size doesn't bother me, wider feels more controlled in my experience. I think that's part of why I'm not fond of how a Husky feels, because the ones I've used felt too narrow. It will be stored in a case, so it will take up the same space as a 361 or 046 in that regard.

 

[CentaurG2]

Sell the pathetic 361 and get a husky 562xp. I doubt you will ever pick up the 046 again.

 

[Brian72]

I see where you're coming from. My main saw is my 50 cc echo cs520. It's light and nimble. With the .325 chain and 20 inch bar, it tackles 90% of my needs. I then bought an echo cs680 for some bigger stuff. It's a great saw but I didn't feel I gained that much more. I gave the 680 to my buddy and bought a stihl ms661 to take care of the big stuff. It doesn't sound like you care much for the 361. If that's the case, send it down the road and get something you like. Too many choices to be stuck with a saw you just don't like.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

 

[hseII]

Most of the time, I'm dealing with trees in the 10-20" range, and only see a 24"+ tree once every year or two.
]

The 361 once ported will handle all of that.
Get it Ported & the oiler checked out, & once you it get back, have that 046 gone thru.

For about the price of another saw, you will have 2 that will do most anything you need.

Consider adding a 660 like the above guy said down the road, when work requires.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Most of the time, I'm dealing with trees in the 10-20" range, and only see a 24"+ tree once every year or two. But I've done 3 in the past 2 weeks (and the firewood pipeline is getting very full!). This was last week after 2 trees, now there's a 3rd!
View attachment 587041

I guess my question would be, what are you hoping to use the 261 for?

 

[jeepinmatt]

The 361 once ported will handle all of that.
Get it Ported & the oiler checked out, & once you it get back, have that 046 gone thru.

For about the price of another saw, you will have 2 that will do most anything you need.

Consider adding a 660 like the above guy said down the road, when work requires.

I don't like heavy saws that only get used once a year. I had a Husky 3120 for a while to fill the big saw void, but still found myself going to the 046 for the big stuff because the 3120 was too heavy, awkward, and slow revving.

I guess my question would be, what are you hoping to use the 261 for?

I think I would use the 261 more for the smaller stuff. Right now I just grab the 046 because it will do everything and isn't much heavier than the 361. 261 should be noticeably lighter than the 046 and, when ported, should be as strong as my stock 361.

 

[hseII]

I don't like heavy saws that only get used once a year. I had a Husky 3120 for a while to fill the big saw void, but still found myself going to the 046 for the big stuff because the 3120 was too heavy, awkward, and slow revving.


I think I would use the 261 more for the smaller stuff. Right now I just grab the 046 because it will do everything and isn't much heavier than the 361. 261 should be noticeably lighter than the 046 and, when ported, should be as strong as my stock 361.

3120s are pigs.

The 361 will be an animal when you get it back.

 

[jeepinmatt]

^Haha, why get a 660 if they make an 880

At the moment I'm leaning towards keep the 361, send it off to be worked over, and buy a used 261 to play around with. I know of a 261 for sale locally in really good condition with brand new 20" bar and chain for $340. Then after a few months, I'll know which I like better and can sell my least favorite.

 

[Iceboy]

Thank you for the plug, but my saw was officially sold as of this friday and was shipped out yesterday.

The 261 is a good saw and I really enjoyed mine. I only sold it as I don't use my saws that much.

Unfortunately had to sell mine too, but I regret. The MS261 is an incredible saw. Light wight and powerful.

 

[drf255]

I don't care about saw weight for bucking, not a bit.

For limbing and dual purpose I certainly do.

Ever limb for an hour with an 066 and a 28? It get old fast.

@MustangMike used to limb wif an 044, ask him what he uses now

I find Stihl's narrower than husky's myself. Husky's just roll over easier.

 

[hseII]

I don't care about saw weight for bucking, not a bit.

For limbing and dual purpose I certainly do.

Ever limb for an hour with an 066 and a 28? It get old fast.

@MustangMike used to limb wif an 044, ask him what he uses now

I find Stihl's narrower than husky's myself. Husky's just roll over easier.

It's That Sideways Balance.