MS291 vs. MS261

[Newguy12358]

I looked at both of these saws today and the 261 was about 70 bucks more. Same weight and about the same HP. Can anyone with experience tell me what the difference is besides the obvious? I know the 261 is a pro saw and the 291 is a mid grade. I am looking to clean up some storm damage and maybe even an occasional use on the old alaskan mill.
Thanks!

 

[XSKIER]

Mill with a 50cc? 2x4s?

 

[z71mike]

A 70-dollar difference?!?! You gotta tell me where!

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

A 70-dollar difference?!?! You gotta tell me where!

MSRP is 70$ difference, 291 is 489$ and 261 is 559$.

 

[indiansprings]

Read any of my post on the 261, hands down the 261 it is as good as any 50cc saw on the market, imho one of the very best, it is not however a milling saw, you need to look at 90cc plus. The 261 is rock solid, one of the members here THALL posted he has sold almost 60 of them and not seen one back in his shop yet. My sons use two in our wood business and they have been bullet proof, I wouldn't trade mine for any other 50cc saw on the market. Absolutely love them, one of my all time favorites in right at 35 years running them. We sell the fire out of them at our shop, predominantly to the tree service pro's and several to full time firewood operations, several have bought multiple units. We have not had one come back with any issues.

Saw Troll will show up and bash them, but he bashes all Stihls and has never used one. They are a fantasitic saw.

 

[Stihl-Pioneer]

For the $70 difference I would go with the 261. It's a better built saw and if you decide to sell it down the road you will most likely get most of the $70 back in the resale of it.

 

[biggus]

A 70-dollar difference?!?! You gotta tell me where!

There's only an $80 difference here in AZ. I would imagine it would be cheaper yet in states that actually have trees.

 

[z71mike]

OK I just checked my local dealer's webpage........when the h*** did the 291 go up to $500?!?!?! I remember a year ago it was $399.

 

[sunfish]

I looked at both of these saws today and the 261 was about 70 bucks more. Same weight and about the same HP.

So they weigh about the same and HP same? :msp_mellow:

 

[Andyshine77]

. We sell the fire out of them at our shop, predominantly to the tree service pro's and several to full time firewood operations, several have bought multiple units. We have not had one come back with any issues.

Are you a stihl dealer?

For the extra 70 bucks I'd go with the 261 with out question. Using a 50cc saw on a mill really isn't an option.

 

[WidowMaker1]

Are you a stihl dealer?

took the words out of my mouth. lol ...you can spot'em by a mile!

 

[Wild Knight]

Are you a stihl dealer?
:msp_razz:

Don't be jealous now, Andre :msp_razz:

 

[s219]

261 all the way, and I agree, no milling. To me, 70cc is the minimum saw size just for small scale milling in soft wood.

 

[Andyshine77]

Don't be jealous now, Andre :msp_razz:

I don't know about that, working on other peoples abused equipment isn't all that much fun.

 

[biggus]

OK I just checked my local dealer's webpage........when the h*** did the 291 go up to $500?!?!?! I remember a year ago it was $399.

I don't understand the price difference... I know the stihl guy tried to talk me into going w/ the 291 over the 290 but I wasn't about to...and with a hundred buck difference!

 

[bcorradi]

Are you a stihl dealer?

For the extra 70 bucks I'd go with the 261 with out question. Using a 50cc saw on a mill really isn't an option.

I believe Indianasprings works at his local stihl dealer. Yeah if you relook at his post he doesn't recommend a 50cc saw for milling either and neither do I.

 

[Andyshine77]

I don't understand the price difference... I know the stihl guy tried to talk me into going w/ the 291 over the 290 but I wasn't about to...and with a hundred buck difference!

I don't think the 291 is worth the extra 100 bucks myself. However the higher price comes from the more complex cylinder casting, extra carb/intake plumbing, improved air filter setup. Plus all the other modern features like spring AV and air injection, one piece quick disconnect top cover. I've also been told the 291 has a better power band, like most strato saws.

 

[Andyshine77]

I believe Indianasprings works at his local stihl dealer. Yeah if you relook at his post he doesn't recommend a 50cc saw for milling either and neither do I.

The OP said he wanted to occasionally use the saw on his Alaskan mill.

Pushing the brand you sell is nothing new, and it explains why he pushes Stihl. This is fine, but one could hardly say his opinion is unbiased.

 

[Log slayer]

Spend the money!!!!!!!!! 261 is one of the toughest 50cc saws ever. I run mine everyday. No let downs in two years. I think it just gets stronger. MM and 16" bar now that's FUN! :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[XSKIER]

Are the "one" series saws still clamshell? Or are they three piece with a separate crankcase and cylinder? I've been looking at them recently, and they sure look like an improvement over the farm boss.