Background: Current stable is an MS361 and an 046 Magnum. The 046 isn't going anywhere since it's the first saw I ever bought, and I just like it. I've never loved the 361, and only use it when the 046 is out of fuel or needs a chain. I've ran a 261 a few years ago and was impressed. I cut firewood for myself/friends/family and mess around with tree work as a side job.
Fast forward to today: It was a frustrating day in chainsaw land, as my 046 unknowingly sat upside down for a few minutes and got completely flooded and wouldn't crank. I was forced to use the 361 to limb and buck up a 100ft tall 3ft diameter red oak.
When I took the 361 out of the case, there was a significant pool of oil that ends up on the truck and my pants and anything the saw gets near before being sat down on the ground ten times. Strike 1. This was not a surprise as this saw has always leaked oil out the oiler really bad. The surprise was the burning sensation on my leg after 5 minutes of running it because of the fuel leaking out the cap. Strike 2. And then i had to cut a bunch of wood with it. Even with a 18" bar, it just doesn't come close to the power of my 046 running a 25" bar. Running the 25" bar was downright aggravating as the 361 just doesn't have the 046 torque. Strike 3.
So I'm at a turning point. Send the 361 off to be ported or buy a 261 and get it ported? The 361 leaks are easy enough to fix so that's really not an issue, just annoyances I don't want to mess with on a backup saw. I feel like I could get decent money for the 361, probably enough to pickup a good used 261.
Don't really want to tread down the Husky or Dolmar path, as I like having interchangeable bar/chain/parts etc and there are no Dolmar or Husky dealers nearby. Plus the Stihls have the right handle orientation and spacing for me. They feel right in my hand and the Huskys don't. Not sure about Dolmar.
So what's the internet chainsaw wisdom say?
Since everybody loves picture and this post is already excessively long...
View attachment 587012
View attachment 587013