New guy needs first big one

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For your smaller saw, you may want to check out a MS241c. I think you'd like it.

As for a top handle, the MS200T Is still king of the hill. But the MS201TC-m is still a worthy contender I'm told.
 
For your smaller saw, you may want to check out a MS241c. I think you'd like it.

As for a top handle, the MS200T Is still king of the hill. But the MS201TC-m is still a worthy contender I'm told.

I’ve seriously considered the 241 instead of a 193. I know where one is sitting on a shelf. Last one in my area I believe.
 
That 193 looks ideal. I don't pay much attention to the smaller saws, but I should. Bucking branches is the worst, and dealing with a heavy saw sucks. Once upon a time, and still occasionally, I do the branch bucking with an axe. Most of the branches are small and break off easier and is faster then with a chainsaw.
 
That 193 looks ideal. I don't pay much attention to the smaller saws, but I should. Bucking branches is the worst, and dealing with a heavy saw sucks. Once upon a time, and still occasionally, I do the branch bucking with an axe. Most of the branches are small and break off easier and is faster then with a chainsaw.

It's probably poor form from a safety standpoint, but I'll sometimes buck good hardwood branches (~2-4" maple for example ) that have firewood potential one-handed with the 193. Hold the branch in the left hand, saw in the right, lop off piece after piece. It's pretty efficient.
 
It's probably poor form from a safety standpoint, but I'll sometimes buck good hardwood branches (~2-4" maple for example ) that have firewood potential one-handed with the 193. Hold the branch in the left hand, saw in the right, lop off piece after piece. It's pretty efficient.

Most branches around my area are less then an inch, and most a lot less then that. About worthless, and moved off and out of site for nature to deal with.
 
The way the oaks tend to grow around here, there's lots and lots of good firewood to be had from the branches, and there's lots of branches to deal with. I've come to like a small saw for that work. I got the rear-handled version of the 201c for the task, and it's well suited to it.
 
The way the oaks tend to grow around here, there's lots and lots of good firewood to be had from the branches, and there's lots of branches to deal with. I've come to like a small saw for that work. I got the rear-handled version of the 201c for the task, and it's well suited to it.

How’s the ergonomics of the rear handle version? To me it looks like it’d be too small.
 
How’s the ergonomics of the rear handle version? To me it looks like it’d be too small.

Outstanding for me. I'm an average sized guy. I don't find the handle any different than the handle on my 362. Otherwise, the saw balances very nicely, and is very light and nimble. It's really a joy to use.
 
I''d keep the 028 before I'd replace it with a 291. For my use the 291 and 391 don't have an aftermarket for parts and Stihl parts are too expensive...

I have decided to keep the 028 as a small backup. I did get a 461 with a 30” and 25” b&c. Now I’m trying to figure out if I want a 193t/c, an ms 180, or go a little bigger with a 261.
 
I have decided to keep the 028 as a small backup. I did get a 461 with a 30” and 25” b&c. Now I’m trying to figure out if I want a 193t/c, an ms 180, or go a little bigger with a 261.
Don't bother with a MS180. Go straight for the MS201c-m. In the store, they weighed almost the same, and the 201 is a lot faster.
 
I’ve seriously considered the 241 instead of a 193. I know where one is sitting on a shelf. Last one in my area I believe.

Oh man! You really need to go get it. They are a blast! They spool up so fast! I have a 241 I picked up a few years back, and got another one about 2-3 weeks ago that my regional Stihl rep tracked down for me. I recommend the rim sprocket conversion (1143-007-1002 IIRC). It's a 7T and keeps everything tight and running shipshape with that single bar nut. It's a bear with the rim and 55DL, so I'd get someone to make you some 56DL loops if possible. I'm running 63PM on the older one and the new one will run 63 PS, if I can bring myself to getting it dirty. The 241's will handle just about anything the 261 can handle. Almost.
 
Oh man! You really need to go get it. They are a blast! They spool up so fast! I have a 241 I picked up a few years back, and got another one about 2-3 weeks ago that my regional Stihl rep tracked down for me. I recommend the rim sprocket conversion (1143-007-1002 IIRC). It's a 7T and keeps everything tight and running shipshape with that single bar nut. It's a bear with the rim and 55DL, so I'd get someone to make you some 56DL loops if possible. I'm running 63PM on the older one and the new one will run 63 PS, if I can bring myself to getting it dirty. The 241's will handle just about anything the 261 can handle. Almost.

I wish stihl would have an event that allowed people to test drive these things. For example, this past weekend the Grand America was in Sparta Illinois. I took my girlfriend with me so we could find the correct shotgun for her. By the end of the day we both found a new model that’d suit our needs. I’m just not sure which way to go. The 193 should fit my needs. However, after buying the 461, I know I should listen to you all. It’s just that multiple people are saying they all are good saws.
 
Well, look at it this way. You almost listened to me about the 462. This will give you the least expensive jump into the M-tronic saws and it sounds like it would suit your needs. Just saying.
 
IMO, deciding factor is probably whether you want a small top-handle saw or not. The 193T is a beautiful little one-handed companion for walks on the woodlot, but is going to have less power than an MS 241.
However, if an MS 261 is on the wish-list, then having a 241 and 261 gives you a lot of overlap, where an MS 193T/261/461 really lets you cover all the bases.

^ That's my plan at least. I'm not exceptionally experienced, but I love the old man's 193T, and my MS 261 (and I'm pretty sure I'll love the 461 when it arrives this week).
 
Honestly I think both of you are right. It’s just a matter of which saw would be handier for my situations.

The 193 would give me a good excuse to get the 261.

The 241 would bridge the gap of both and I probably would run a 241/461 combo.
 
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