Anyone have experience with both, the Stihl MS261 and the MS291??

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Ok, so it appears that there is an obvious answer here. I haven't heard anything bad really about the 291, however 100% of the MS261 owner's comments are positive ones, so I think that is the way to go. It is obvious that those of you who own the 261 are fond of it. Not that I want to spend more, but I don't consider an extra $130 to be that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, and if it is a better saw. If we were talking hundreds of dollars more, that might be a little different.

Just to add to the hype on the MS261, I stopped by the saw shop on my lunch break and the sales guy was giving some opinions on the 271, 291, and 311. There happened to be a customer standing at the counter and overheard my questions. He politely walked over and said that he owned several of the Stihl saws on display there for his business. He pointed right to the MS261 and said "if you want a real nice saw, consider that MS261"! He couldn't say enough good about it. So, it is obvious that this saw is a winner to those who own or have used it. I think it is the obvious answer for me too based on all this.
It is a great saw for a stihl lol.
If you change your mind and decide you want the 291 I'll be happy to sell you the one in the video above :D.
 
I service and use 4 other Stihl saws besides my own personal ones. I have use of a MS290. Consider it heavy and would rather use a 362 for the weight. But our 290 has much compression that our female sawyers have trouble pulling with the kickback. Working on it made it better. But anyway 290 is ok and bucks trees and works. If the 290 had a decomp valve it would be better starter.

Once you use a 026/260/261 Pro saw you get to feel and know the little differences. You will be happy to spent the extra money to experience this. The "Pro" quality saw taken care of will last you many years of fun!

I own a MS261C-M and it is hands down funner to run than the 290. Light weight to carry for miles hiking.

Confession... A weak moment came over me last month when I saw a new ms261C-M for sale and suddenly I bought it. No I don't need a second saw of the same, but I have been impressed with the MS261C-M and now I own two.
 
I service and use 4 other Stihl saws besides my own personal ones. I have use of a MS290. Consider it heavy and would rather use a 362 for the weight. But our 290 has much compression that our female sawyers have trouble pulling with the kickback. Working on it made it better. But anyway 290 is ok and bucks trees and works. If the 290 had a decomp valve it would be better starter.

Once you use a 026/260/261 Pro saw you get to feel and know the little differences. You will be happy to spent the extra money to experience this. The "Pro" quality saw taken care of will last you many years of fun!

I own a MS261C-M and it is hands down funner to run than the 290. Light weight to carry for miles hiking.

Confession... A weak moment came over me last month when I saw a new ms261C-M for sale and suddenly I bought it. No I don't need a second saw of the same, but I have been impressed with the MS261C-M and now I own two.
It's called CAD.:laughing:
 
I service and use 4 other Stihl saws besides my own personal ones. I have use of a MS290. Consider it heavy and would rather use a 362 for the weight. But our 290 has much compression that our female sawyers have trouble pulling with the kickback. Working on it made it better. But anyway 290 is ok and bucks trees and works. If the 290 had a decomp valve it would be better starter.

Once you use a 026/260/261 Pro saw you get to feel and know the little differences. You will be happy to spent the extra money to experience this. The "Pro" quality saw taken care of will last you many years of fun!

I own a MS261C-M and it is hands down funner to run than the 290. Light weight to carry for miles hiking.

Confession... A weak moment came over me last month when I saw a new ms261C-M for sale and suddenly I bought it. No I don't need a second saw of the same, but I have been impressed with the MS261C-M and now I own two.

Good point on the starting. I recently serviced a 291 for a neighbor. No decompression valve on it. My 261 when it was stock was the easiest starting saw I owned. And even more appreciated was how easy re-starting was. Once it had been started the first time, you could pick it up, push the decomp, and lightly pull the rope at whatever speed you wished. It rarely failed to fire right up.
 
Good point on the starting. I recently serviced a 291 for a neighbor. No decompression valve on it. My 261 when it was stock was the easiest starting saw I owned. And even more appreciated was how easy re-starting was. Once it had been started the first time, you could pick it up, push the decomp, and lightly pull the rope at whatever speed you wished. It rarely failed to fire right up.
Guess you've never owned a 550 ;)
 
Guilty as charged. Only run one a couple times. Love my 346s though. :)
I started my 550mk2 a couple days ago, popped on the first pull and fired on the second, I could have turned the choke off and it would have stayed running on the first one, the mk1 is the same way. Now there is the issues with the early mk1's that turned so many away :(, if you can get a late 2015-2019 they are good runners and don't have the problems some of the earlier ones had, and they will eat up a 346 if they are both stock or similarly modded. Don't tell anyone I said that though.
 
Hey Steve.
Most likely you're thinking of the 290/390 as they are on the same platform.

Correct.

Hey Steve.
The 271 and the 291 are on the same chassis, and then the 311/391 share the same chassis iirc, but I am more of a husky guy lol.

I am not really familiar with the "1" redesign. So did they reapportion the models with the redesign? The 270 wasn't like anything else... in a class by its lonesome self.
 
Correct.



I am not really familiar with the "1" redesign. So did they reapportion the models with the redesign? The 270 wasn't like anything else... in a class by its lonesome self.
I gave all I had bro, like I said I'm more of a husky guy.
I can call in the big dogs though :laugh:.
@HarleyT help us out with the facts would you.
 
I have both the 039 and 260. I know the 029&039 are different saws and power but if I’m correct in saying they are similar in size, get the 260-261. It’s so much more enjoyable to move around and use, and the difference in cost will quickly be forgotten about. I wont buy another clamshell. The 029 039 are a pain in the butt to work on too. With all this said, I absolutely love my 039 even though it’s a big heavy beast, because it’s my only 65cc (and largest saw)
 
What size wood are you cutting? the added displacement of the 291 would only be noticeable in wood more than 16".
Have you ran them side by side or ran either of them.
The 261 is way lighter and has .24 more hp as far as specs are concerned.
I have both the 039 and 260. I know the 029&039 are different saws and power but if I’m correct in saying they are similar in size, get the 260-261. It’s so much more enjoyable to move around and use, and the difference in cost will quickly be forgotten about. I wont buy another clamshell. The 029 039 are a pain in the butt to work on too. With all this said, I absolutely love my 039 even though it’s a big heavy beast, because it’s my only 65cc (and largest saw)
The 029 and 039 share the same chassis Tom.
 
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