New Stihl 241 or 261?

[mtown]

I want a lighter saw than my vintage 041. Planning to get with 16" bar. I keep tools forever which is why I am paying for pro series saw. Cutting small trees 8-10" and firewood.
Specs indicate the 241 is 9.9# and the 261 is 10.3#. Figured the extra power was worth the small weight difference.
Any thoughts?

 

[blsnelling]

Are you comparing the latest version of each? There is a full pound weight difference when fitted with B&C, fuel and oil. That's a big difference.

 

[stihlaficionado]

Are you comparing the latest version of each? There is a full pound weight difference when fitted with B&C, fuel and oil. That's a big difference.

261 has .9 more hp I believe, so if weight isn't an issue or loosing a bit more handling to the 241, I'd go with the new version 261

 

[Tex68w]

I would recommend the 261, it is a beast of a little saw and it makes a full 1bhp more than the 241 or 33% more power. Stihl's website shows 9.9lbs for the 241 and 10.8lbs for the 261. One pound is definitely noticeable, but IMHO you aren't talking anything drastic especially when you get that much more power for that extra weight. A 16" B&C rips on the 261, I would imagine that a 16" B&C on the 241 would be the upper limits of it's ability to perform adequately.

 

[Overkill338]

My 241 full of gas and oil, wearing a 18" bar and chain weighed 12.4 lbs

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Go MS241C-M.

In wood, even hickory, 10 inches and under you'll never notice the hp difference between the two. Difference in time in the the kerf won't amount to the proverbial hole in the snow. I use mine on the treelength piles all the time with no noticeable drop in production. It's not always about power, in wood that size the chain quality, type, sharpness and geometry will provide more performance than additional hp

Added benefit, you'll have the best handling saw for working in tight quarters this side of a top handle.

Take Care

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Double tap.

Take Care

 

[Stihlman441]

A ported 241 will run rings around a stock 261 any day
Smaller lighter and more nimble ported 241 for me me

 

[KiwiBro]

ported small saws are a waste of money.

 

[1Alpha1]

Go big(ger) or go home.

 

[Overkill338]

FWIW I prefer Picco over .325 Sunday. **** that Husky chain.

 

[cuinrearview]

A ported 241 will run rings around a stock 261 any day
Smaller lighter and more nimble ported 241 for me me

...

 

[Derrick Sawyer]

Personally i would go for new version 261 for sure for 8-10" trees (especially hardwood) and firewood, it would be perfect, and would seem light compared to the old 041. It would fine too with an 18" so better reach and limbs fine too. For the hp and the cost, its tough to beat, just like the 550xp

 

[Overkill338]

241 runs an 18 too. Have no trouble with 325 or Picco, both running 7t sprockets.

 

[KenJax Tree]

The small difference in price the 261 makes sense.

 

[Cody]

If you won't ever cut anything above 10" diameter, I'd go with the 241, and personally I'd go with a 14" bar knowing that you get around 12-1/2" of usable bar. If you're exceeding wood that's 12" diameter then it's a no brainer, get the second version 261 with a 16" bar.

 

[Stihlman441]

241cm Ported 16'' .325 semi chisel chain new out of box 7 pin
261cm Ported 18'' .325 semi chisel chain new out of box 7 pin
Both ported by Mastermind and new not run in
Wood is Sugargum Ozzy hard wood.

 

[Be Stihl]

I just purchased the 261 V2 and could not be happier. I have a 30cc saw so I wanted at least a 50. But I must admit I may drop to 16 B&C from the original 18”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Overkill338]

@Stihlman441

Great videos man! I'm actually tempted to try a 16" .325 now. Maybe a 14" if they exsist.

 

[blsnelling]

Especially for the size wood the OP it's cutting, I'll take my ported 241.

This is dead, dry Ash.