I dunno about shorter bars on the 361. I dropped a nice size white oak snag today for firewood. Maybe 20 inches in diameter. I used the 24 inch bar to cut the face and back cuts. Over she went. Then I noticed that the chain was getting semi-dull, so rather than sharpen it, I got the new 3/8 16 inch bar and RM chain (same as on the 24 inch) and put it on to buck up the oak.
All I can say is that the 16 inch bar is pretty dissappointing on the 361. Same revs, a lot less length to work with, and about the same torque and cutting speed as the 20 inch. Fewer cutters means a faster dull chain too. The 16 inch bar is more at home on the 290, which is what I bought it for. The 24 will go back on the 361 tomorrow. No more messing with a 16 inch bar on that thing. Or even the 18.
I just do not know wht you guys see in the short bars on these saws. Seems like a waste of a 361's power to go with that short a length, even in hardwood. Hell, I have a 16 inch bar on the 025 and that thing does great, even in oak. I love the 3/8 LP picco. Far better than the .325. Cuts faster and straighter, and less weight. Even in oak, it ripped it right up. Great for limbing too.
Longer bars are better... west coast or otherwise.