I was always skeptical of the Pro saws. I had an MS250 for years and was completely happy with it as a homeowner with a little bit of acreage. Then I got involved in hurricane cleanup efforts and had the chance to use an MS261. That was a revelation! The weight and power are great, but it was the vibration damping that really sold me. Now I have both a 261 and a 461 and when I'm out for a whole weekend running a saw, it's a completely different experience with those pro saws than it was with the homeowner saws. If all you ever do is run the saw for a couple of hours a few times a year, stick with the homeowner saws, they will last you a lifetime if you take care of them. But if you run a saw for a whole day, or multiple days, do yourself a favor and get the pro saw (and you can't get much better than the 261 for almost anything) if you have a few extra dollars to spend.
I furnish my own saws for work, many of us do. Well some guys only run 250s and I run a 201t, 261c and an older 440. I’m not the only guy who falls trees on our job sites. The other guys don’t understand directional falling.
If you are trying to up sell you have to explain the advantages of Mtronic. It's like near fuel injection, without the complication, and cost. It will adjust the fuel mixture from the first start of the day when it is still cold, to peak late day temperatures. Same goes for changes in altitude. Same goes for air filters getting plugged up. Also provides some interesting diagnostics.
I hear you. We thought that Mtronic is being talked about so much lately that most viewers would know about it. But your input is very valuable and we'll definitely cover the features in more detail in future videos!
In Australia, the MS261 isn't even available anymore (even on the Stihl Australia website), but there IS an MS271 ($AUD 999), the MS291 ($AUD 1,199), and the MS261C-M ($AUD 1,599), so yeah, the entry level professional is $400 over the higher end homeowner....
G'day Ute, When I bought my 291 I thought it was better than the 261 how sad was I when I found out, and like old mate said it was a pig to start, first thing I did was fit Elasto start . Anyway I ended up sending it to Kev, Mr Hangerone you tube , he ported it more power and easier to start 👍.
I have both saws but my 261 is the standard carb not the mtronic because I would prefer to adjust it myself. Very comparable in performance with the 261 having a small advantage stock even tho it feels like you can push on the 291 a little more. My 291 has had some mods done to it now and will out cut the 261 but that will change when the warranty expires on the 261. My advice would be to run a thinner bar and chain oil on the 291 the difference in bar temp using stihl bar oil vs the cheap mystic brand at my local fleet farm is around 80 degrees but it is not as much of an issue on the 261 as the lowest setting on the adjustable oiler is equal to the non adjustable 291. Between my 291 and 180 I have cut around 40 full cords and the 261 has 5 to 10 full cords under its belt without a single issue
I have a 261. Excellent saw. I have always run pro saws. But, another way to look at it is you can get a 291 and an extra bar and chain. For a home owner thats a good value.
261 is very popular saw in Finland among also professionals and farmers... we dont use so long bars usually. Of course those who fall very big trees need longer bars...then ms 400, or even 500i if needed...
I love my 261. I heat with wood, so I work my saw hard and the 261 will run all day long and do it again the next day. The same can't be said for other "home owner" (non-Stihl) saws that I've had in the past.
The 261 is the best allround saw in my opinion. I got the 026, 260, 261 without M Tronic, 261 with M-Tronic and a new 261 with M-Tronic 3.0. These saws are the most used, cause lightweight, pretty powerful and easy to start.
Hey, I thought my 261CM was the world's best 16" saw and my 400CM was the world's best 20" saw - no? 😄 Seriously, though, I have 16" and 20" bars for my 261 and if I could have only one saw, it would certainly be a 261CM.
Great video and thanks for the detailed comparison. I have owned Stihl saws for 30+ years but recently had my 038 AV stolen! I do not want to buy a new saw so can u suggest a few comparable options in the "used" saw market other than another 038? Thanks and have a great week!
Most of the STIHL chainsaws last a lifetime, as you must know being a owner for 30+ years. Buying used does get a little tricky since you gotta look out for bigger damage that the previous owner might have done. I don't have an exact blueprint for that as of now, but maybe we can come up with a guide about choosing a used chainsaw. Just depends on how much interest is there in that topic
The piston is a lightweight aluminum type metal and not letting it warm up can score the piston if the cylinder isn't allowed to warm the piston warms quicker.
I love my 261, I owned a 550xp before and it was a nice saw but the 261 is lighter and cuts a little faster, it cost me about 740$ with tax in Maine USA.
I like the ms - 261 less m - tronic. The m - tronic is nice until the carburetor components fail then you are at the mercy of the dealer for trouble shooting on their lab top with their software. Ill stay with sthils model on the auto compensation carburetor. Husqvarna uses the auto tune on their Comercial saws too. The systems on each brand perform well until they fail. On both brands on you tube a owner may be able to go through a procedure that will reset the carburetors computures chip that will not send the owner for repairs at the dealer.
261 by far the best it has a magnesium crank case an the 291 has a plastic crank case it won’t take the heat 291 is a home owner saw 261 is a professional saw I have a bunch of them best saw for the money mix you gas strong with oil keep them clean air filter wise !
The ms271 is also able to run a 20 inch bar and is a 52 cc engine and is closer to the specs of the ms 261 on everything but power. So it would be a better and closer comparison then using the ms291. Plus the ms 271 is a farm/ranch saw. And you're wrong on the 291 being a home owners saw. It's a farm/ranch saw. Stihl has 3 levels of saws home owner, farm/ranch, and pro, which you would know this if you did the proper research and know the stuff you was doing videos on before making your video.
Your right, I bought a used 290 which was a "farm boss",, good saw for me and very popular for Stihl. It was finally replaced by the 291, which is their replacement saw for the 290. I also bought a 261c which I also like. For me, both saws are great! Love the features of the 261. Purchased in Canada, so buy them on sale!
I was always skeptical of the Pro saws. I had an MS250 for years and was completely happy with it as a homeowner with a little bit of acreage. Then I got involved in hurricane cleanup efforts and had the chance to use an MS261. That was a revelation! The weight and power are great, but it was the vibration damping that really sold me. Now I have both a 261 and a 461 and when I'm out for a whole weekend running a saw, it's a completely different experience with those pro saws than it was with the homeowner saws.
If all you ever do is run the saw for a couple of hours a few times a year, stick with the homeowner saws, they will last you a lifetime if you take care of them. But if you run a saw for a whole day, or multiple days, do yourself a favor and get the pro saw (and you can't get much better than the 261 for almost anything) if you have a few extra dollars to spend.
Spoken like a champ,this is excellent n good advice for the novice ,well done, like u attitude. All the best for the future 😊
I furnish my own saws for work, many of us do. Well some guys only run 250s and I run a 201t, 261c and an older 440. I’m not the only guy who falls trees on our job sites. The other guys don’t understand directional falling.
Totally agree! Pro saws are in a whole other league!
If you are trying to up sell you have to explain the advantages of Mtronic. It's like near fuel injection, without the complication, and cost. It will adjust the fuel mixture from the first start of the day when it is still cold, to peak late day temperatures. Same goes for changes in altitude. Same goes for air filters getting plugged up. Also provides some interesting diagnostics.
I hear you. We thought that Mtronic is being talked about so much lately that most viewers would know about it. But your input is very valuable and we'll definitely cover the features in more detail in future videos!
In Australia, the MS261 isn't even available anymore (even on the Stihl Australia website), but there IS an MS271 ($AUD 999), the MS291 ($AUD 1,199), and the MS261C-M ($AUD 1,599), so yeah, the entry level professional is $400 over the higher end homeowner....
G'day Ute, When I bought my 291 I thought it was better than the 261 how sad was I when I found out, and like old mate said it was a pig to start, first thing I did was fit Elasto start . Anyway I ended up sending it to Kev, Mr Hangerone you tube , he ported it more power and easier to start 👍.
I have both saws but my 261 is the standard carb not the mtronic because I would prefer to adjust it myself. Very comparable in performance with the 261 having a small advantage stock even tho it feels like you can push on the 291 a little more. My 291 has had some mods done to it now and will out cut the 261 but that will change when the warranty expires on the 261. My advice would be to run a thinner bar and chain oil on the 291 the difference in bar temp using stihl bar oil vs the cheap mystic brand at my local fleet farm is around 80 degrees but it is not as much of an issue on the 261 as the lowest setting on the adjustable oiler is equal to the non adjustable 291. Between my 291 and 180 I have cut around 40 full cords and the 261 has 5 to 10 full cords under its belt without a single issue
QUESTION: Is Stihl doing away with the 400? I have two 400’s and a 261 and love them.
No. They are offering a new version of the 400 for 2025.
I have a 261. Excellent saw. I have always run pro saws. But, another way to look at it is you can get a 291 and an extra bar and chain. For a home owner thats a good value.
Absolutely agreed. For a homeowner, the 291 is an excellent option.
261 is very popular saw in Finland among also professionals and farmers... we dont use so long bars usually. Of course those who fall very big trees need longer bars...then ms 400, or even 500i if needed...
Good to know, thanks for sharing 🙂
I love my 261. I heat with wood, so I work my saw hard and the 261 will run all day long and do it again the next day. The same can't be said for other "home owner" (non-Stihl) saws that I've had in the past.
witch blower should I get if I do leave clean ups at 3 residential properties a year. The br600 or br800
Well if I was looking for a saw, the 261 would my choice!
Great choice 🙂
The 261 is the best allround saw in my opinion. I got the 026, 260, 261 without M Tronic, 261 with M-Tronic and a new 261 with M-Tronic 3.0. These saws are the most used, cause lightweight, pretty powerful and easy to start.
I’m deciding between 261 vs 261c, which one you prefer?
@ 261, simple and reliable
That's great insight, specially from someone who uses all the models you mentioned. Thank for sharing 🙂
@@mainstreetmower I loved the blower vid, picked up the BR800s
@ no problem, greetings from germany, the „Land of the Stihls and Dolmars“ 😁
Hey, I thought my 261CM was the world's best 16" saw and my 400CM was the world's best 20" saw - no? 😄 Seriously, though, I have 16" and 20" bars for my 261 and if I could have only one saw, it would certainly be a 261CM.
Great video and thanks for the detailed comparison. I have owned Stihl saws for 30+ years but recently had my 038 AV stolen! I do not want to buy a new saw so can u suggest a few comparable options in the "used" saw market other than another 038? Thanks and have a great week!
Most of the STIHL chainsaws last a lifetime, as you must know being a owner for 30+ years. Buying used does get a little tricky since you gotta look out for bigger damage that the previous owner might have done. I don't have an exact blueprint for that as of now, but maybe we can come up with a guide about choosing a used chainsaw. Just depends on how much interest is there in that topic
@@mainstreetmower ok thanks. I need to buy one shortly so this will not likely help me.......sorry.
Thanks Stu
Absolutely 🙂
Enlightening!!
Glad it was helpful 🙂
Wow Pol Espargaro has hung up his leathers and is now reviewing chainsaws!
jaja veo el parecido
In Canada it's a 200$ CAD difference. (about 145$ USD)
Wow, that's bit much than here in US
Need more saw videos 🤙
Another one dropping this week 🙂
I em old school, I will pick the one with a adjustable carburettor
That's fair. The best saw is the one that suits your style the best 🙂
I have 291 about a year.And it's great chainsaw.Stars easy.
291 is great, no doubt.
The piston is a lightweight aluminum type metal and not letting it warm up can score the piston if the cylinder isn't allowed to warm the piston warms quicker.
Is it normal for the decompression valve to pop out every time that I pull the starter on the 261cm.
yes.
Anytime the saw attempts to start it will pop up
I love my 261, I owned a 550xp before and it was a nice saw but the 261 is lighter and cuts a little faster, it cost me about 740$ with tax in Maine USA.
Glad to hear you're enjoying your 261!
I like the ms - 261 less m - tronic. The m - tronic is nice until the carburetor components fail then you are at the mercy of the dealer for trouble shooting on their lab top with their software. Ill stay with sthils model on the auto compensation carburetor. Husqvarna uses the auto tune on their Comercial saws too. The systems on each brand perform well until they fail. On both brands on you tube a owner may be able to go through a procedure that will reset the carburetors computures chip that will not send the owner for repairs at the dealer.
What's the difference between the MS 261c and the ms261c-m
They are the same, the M doesn’t make it on the badge on the side of the saw
Question, Is the Stihl ms 261c-m chainsaw made in the USA, or Germany, just wondering
Currently the MS261 is being produced in the USA 🇺🇸
Nice video
Thanks! 🙂
261 by far the best it has a magnesium crank case an the 291 has a plastic crank case it won’t take the heat 291 is a home owner saw 261 is a professional saw I have a bunch of them best saw for the money mix you gas strong with oil keep them clean air filter wise !
Absolutely right, the 261 is an incredibly tough saw! And with only a $90 price difference from a home owner saw... no brainer!
Aluminium muffler? Anodized aluminium muffler? Nope.
You mean steel (cold passivated zinc coated) vs stainless steel.
Thank you correcting me on that, I have been searching
Great video buddy 👍say hello to Chip America is back again Buy American
Thank you Harry 🙂
The ms271 is also able to run a 20 inch bar and is a 52 cc engine and is closer to the specs of the ms 261 on everything but power. So it would be a better and closer comparison then using the ms291. Plus the ms 271 is a farm/ranch saw. And you're wrong on the 291 being a home owners saw. It's a farm/ranch saw. Stihl has 3 levels of saws home owner, farm/ranch, and pro, which you would know this if you did the proper research and know the stuff you was doing videos on before making your video.
Good point, Chad..
Your right, I bought a used 290 which was a "farm boss",, good saw for me and very popular for Stihl. It was finally replaced by the 291, which is their replacement saw for the 290.
I also bought a 261c which I also like. For me, both saws are great! Love the features of the 261.
Purchased in Canada, so buy them on sale!