So I waas thinking about buying a 261 as they just became avialable here, but got to wondering which is faster and the better saw the 346 is a little cheaper but which is better in stock form.
First off, MS261 is a sweet little saw and has a good bit more grunt than 026/260
It may be a small thing but with you already having 036,460 and 064.
Any and all of you Stihl bar and chains will work with 261.
As far as waiting to see if any bugs need to be worked out.
Stihl is very good about making sure the bugs are worked out before
releasing to the buying public. The fit and finish of 261 is outstanding
the 3 top cover locking screws (really not screws) lock like a vault door,
very solid and positive. The air filter, copied or not it's the best setup
I have ever used on any saw. Master control lever has been improved
big time it feels more like a switch on a high dollar car. More than what
you would think a switch would feel like on a saw. A big plus IMO over
346 is in board clutch. It is so easy to change rims and grease
the drum bearing on in-board clutch saws. Plus if you ever need to noodle a few
sticks of wood IB doesn't plug up as easy as OB clutch. The new
bar nuts on 261 wotk slick and are as handy as a pocket on a shirt.
Every saw should have these, I didn't think they would be any big
deal........I was wrong and the same goes for the air filter.
In no way would I buy E-tech 346 over MS261 or MS260 for that matter.
My 261 is pulling full length of 18 inch bar in dry White Oak with spike
dug in and me pulling on saw. From the 346 I used the MS261 is the
saw to get hands down. Stihl has a very good saw on their hands with this MS261!
But good luck with what ever saw you pick.
TT