241cm V 261cm both ported

[stihlman441]

These two on the smaller end of the pro saws i think people have had to make a disissoin about so this may help you on which one will fill your needs.
I have been using a 241 for afew years to trim tops on plantasoin firewood,trim from a bucket/cage and felling smaller trees and love it.
This is how i have and wood set up these two saws
241 .325 .063 chain Stihl E 16'bar and changed to a 7 pin rim sprocket set up.
261 3/8 .063 chain Stihl E 18' bar and 7 pin rim

For testing both have .325 .063 Super Rapid chains (new out of the box) 241 has a 14'' bar and 261 has a 18'' bar both Stihl E bars.
Both saws are ported by Randy.
Wood is semi dry/green Sugargum

Wieghts full of fuel and bar oil
241 with 14' bar 5.9 kg
261 with 18' bar 6.7 kg (this is the newer lighter weight model)

 

[stihlman441]

 

[stihlman441]

The vids
There is not much in it i feel,the 241 is very snappy in throttle response and has had the strattos gutted, dont know yet how that will effect fuel usage.
Both these saws are brand new and had 2 heat cycles (start worm up and let cool) .
Each saw had 4 cuts done before vid to let the MTronic thing sort its self out.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Nice! The 261 gets the nod from me.

 

[CR888]

My strato gutted OE MS261 uses a lot more fuel than my stock one, but it makes enough extra power/speed to justify it. It looks like the NE 261 has a new dawg design. It appears Stihl is using the 'layed back' cylinder design on their new saws like Husky 5 series. Time will tell how that plays out & weather this design has inherent heat soak issues like the 5 series have had. The 241-cm has to be one of Stihls best products full stop IMO. I think those two saws will give excellent service life Andrew, the only thing that pizzes me off is them 'micro' spline clutch drums that mean your bound to buy OEM replacement sprockets which can be pricey in OZ @$33 a pop. I know you can get an Oregon drum that allows you to run regular small size sprockets and then buy cheaper AM rims. Many may say these two saws are to close in specs to need both, I disagree and think they have their differences and are great for sub 18" Ozy hardwoods & are easy to run for long sessions.

 

[stihlman441]

Thanks for your comments.
With the Micro spline rims i have been using GB , Jackmax brands with no issues and ya way cheaper than OEM.
Cheers

 

[CR888]

That's good that there available, have not found them on eBay. Been really happy with the AM large spline sprocket in 3/8 & .404 10 packs for $18 delivered. IMO they have been just as good quality wise as OEM. Handy having a Jakmax account!

 

[bennne]

My strato gutted OE MS261 uses a lot more fuel than my stock one, but it makes enough extra power/speed to justify it. It looks like the NE 261 has a new dawg design. It appears Stihl is using the 'layed back' cylinder design on their new saws like Husky 5 series. Time will tell how that plays out & weather this design has inherent heat soak issues like the 5 series have had. The 241-cm has to be one of Stihls best products full stop IMO. I think those two saws will give excellent service life Andrew, the only thing that pizzes me off is them 'micro' spline clutch drums that mean your bound to buy OEM replacement sprockets which can be pricey in OZ @$33 a pop. I know you can get an Oregon drum that allows you to run regular small size sprockets and then buy cheaper AM rims. Many may say these two saws are to close in specs to need both, I disagree and think they have their differences and are great for sub 18" Ozy hardwoods & are easy to run for long sessions.

$20.70rrp but any who continue

 

[RI Chevy]

Two awesome running saws right there! Very nice. They really buzz right along.
Nice and clean looking too.

 

[Stihl working Hard]

View attachment 38067 View attachment 38068 View attachment 38069 View attachment 38070

Nice saws Andrew great pics

 

[Stihl working Hard]

That's good that there available, have not found them on eBay. Been really happy with the AM large spline sprocket in 3/8 & .404 10 packs for $18 delivered. IMO they have been just as good quality wise as OEM. Handy having a Jakmax account!

Are you buying your AM large spline sprockets from GB or somewhere else I like the price

 

[Stihl working Hard]

The vids
There is not much in it i feel,the 241 is very snappy in throttle response and has had the strattos gutted, dont know yet how that will effect fuel usage.
Both these saws are brand new and had 2 heat cycles (start worm up and let cool) .
Each saw had 4 cuts done before vid to let the MTronic thing sort its self out.

Great vids Andrew I love the 261 that thing pisses

 

[wcorey]

My very 'seat o the pants' calculations put the 261 at 18 percent heavier and 15 percent faster, so 3 percent advantage in power to weight for the 241. Statistically a wash...

 

[Time's Standing Stihl]

Nice videos.

I had a ported 241 and ported 261, Sold the 261 and kept the 241.

The 261 was just and in between saw that didn't get a whole lot of use at my house

 

[Mastermind]

My strato gutted OE MS261 uses a lot more fuel than my stock one, but it makes enough extra power/speed to justify it. It looks like the NE 261 has a new dawg design. It appears Stihl is using the 'layed back' cylinder design on their new saws like Husky 5 series. Time will tell how that plays out & weather this design has inherent heat soak issues like the 5 series have had. The 241-cm has to be one of Stihls best products full stop IMO. I think those two saws will give excellent service life Andrew, the only thing that pizzes me off is them 'micro' spline clutch drums that mean your bound to buy OEM replacement sprockets which can be pricey in OZ @$33 a pop. I know you can get an Oregon drum that allows you to run regular small size sprockets and then buy cheaper AM rims. Many may say these two saws are to close in specs to need both, I disagree and think they have their differences and are great for sub 18" Ozy hardwoods & are easy to run for long sessions.

Just the fins are "laid back". The jug is mounted on the same angle.

 

[concretegrazer]

Just the fins are "laid back". The jug is mounted on the same angle.

Did you ever find wear they dropped the bulk of the weight? Or is it just a little here & there?

 

[Mastermind]

Did you ever find wear they dropped the bulk of the weight? Or is it just a little here & there?

Some is in those fins. There are now fewer of them. The longer length that they got by angling them allowed more dissipation area with less fins. The clutch cover is a big one too.

 

[RI Chevy]

Filter like an MD2 type.

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

The 241-cm has to be one of Stihls best products full stop IMO.

Agreed, for their current line-up.

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

$20.70rrp but any who continue

300-400% more than fair value (in this deplorable, cheap assed, wannabe faller's opinion, which is probably worth even less than $20.70) but any who continue