I've read alot of discussions about what chainsaw is best for firewood. There are definitely many good saws for this applications. I've cut hundreds of cords of firewood with a stihl 260 . In 20 plus years I've had that saw I've put a carburetor kit in it and that's it been a great saw. God bless my wife she decided for Christmas she'd buy me a new 550 xp. I couldn't be happier . That saw rips. I'm kind of partial to 50 cc saws and this one is awesome. I'm a 2 brand saw guy so either one is ok with me. For an all around chainsaw you can't go.wrong with either a 550xp or a ms 261