Went through the same dilemma in the last few weeks. Already owned a CS501P but wanted the MS261 or 550 MKII. Ended up getting the Husky for $140 less so I chose that. I know they are both great saws and its splitting hairs debating the advantages one may have over the other. For me it came down to saving $140. The stihl dealers who happened to have one in stock wouldn't budge from dsrp.
That is my story 30 years ago.
Growing up, my Dad had a Mac Super Pro 60, that was a Helluva saw for it’s time. So when I bought my first house, and it had a Fireplace, I naturally went looking for a Mac, Sadly by then Mac had been bought by Black & Decker IIRC, and wasn’t the same saws that I grew up with.
I knew people with Stihls, and people with Huskies, listened to what each had to say, ran some of each, looked at a Bunch at Dealers, and felt they both made Quality tools, but that I just got more saw for my Money with Husky, at that point Price was the determining factor, and the 266XP was the Best fit for my needs at the time, a decision that I have NEVER Regretted.
I later added a “23 Compact”. Top Handle, sometimes 67cc and 24” of bar are just a “bit” of overkill
For about 25 years that duo was my “2 Saw Plan” Before I even knew what a 2 saw plan was, or that I had one
I added a 3120XP, in 2017 and some questions about it brought me to AS, and ya all Corrupted me, and infected me not only with CAD, but eventually with CSMAD as well, a look at my Sig Line will show just how Bad an Influence you all have been on me
Hi, I’m Doug, and I have a Problem
Well, actually 2 Problems
My Budget isn’t BIG Enough and,
My Garage isn’t. BIG Enough
Doug
