I think you would love the 261, I'm using two of them in my firewood operation, after they are broke in which will take 15-20 tanks, they are right of the heels of a stock 361. I run my 361 with a 18" 3/8 and the 261's with .325 18" setups. If money isn't a factor I'd take the 261 over the 290/291 any day. I've had the priviledge of cutting side by side with a 310 and the 261 will out cut it.
They have an excellent power band after they are broke in, a very torquey saw, I sold the 346xpne I had to buy the second 261. The 261 hands down out of the box is stronger than a 026/260. A 034 super is really the same saw as the 036, you would prolly lose a little power going from a strong running 034 super. But you gain a saw with the best air filter system on the market, it is unlike any other Stihl you have ever seen, literally once a month is all you need to check it/ clean it, I was doing it once a week, but it was a waste of time. The filter's pleated auto style has much more surface area than any other filter.
It has great anti-vibe, I like the attached bar nuts, can't lose them. It is a rock solid saw, built like the old 028, they didn't cut corners to save 9 oz to make it weigh under the competitor.
We cut logged tops and cull logs mainly, basically a lot of wood 20" and down, as you can see by my list of saws we have plenty of 70cc saws, it seems like every time you look for a 261 it is being used by one of the crew, it has become one of my all time favorite saws, I've owned a bunch of saws in the last 35 years and I think it is as good as any I've ever owned.
I did do a thread the other day comparing the one that is well broke in compared to the one just out of the box, big difference, it does take 15-20 tanks for these saws to break in and develop max power, there was significgant difference in power between the two, I know the new one will start getting stronger with each tank.
They are also extremely easy on fuel use. As far as I'm concerned they are the cat's azz, wish I were closer, I'd let you run one all you wanted, I'd prolly have to pry it out of your hands at the end of the day though. Depending on what we decide to do with our business after this year I may very well buy another one.