Imho hands down the MS261, it sounds like a broken record but tried the 346xpne for about 8 months, good saw, but now have two MS-261's, much better filteration, inboard clutch, real chain adjuster, robust build like a tank, a much better fit for the family's firewood operation. Imho the 346 is one of the most overated saws on AS. It is a good saw, nothing wrong other than it doesn't have any bottom end in stock configuration and imho doesn't have near the build quality. Cheaper plastic, rinky dink chain adjuster, outboard clutch, mine looked ten years old in 8 months, my 261's still look like new, none of the crappy silver paint on the clutch cover. It really boils down to personal preference, either one will get the job done, I can't feel any of the mythical handling advantage of the 346, although it does do a great job of falling over on it's side everytime you sit in down in the woods, it should come with a kickstand. I know the boys will still be using the 261's 20 years from now, I don't know if the Husky would make it that long. Best thing of all the 261 is made in the USA with American labor as well as the bar it wears, I'll support the American worker everytime it is close between brands.
