550 XP Mark II or MS 261

[jcarlberg]

Sorry guys; first post is yet another “Help Me Decide””.” This is a decision between a 550 XP Mark II or MS 261 (16 inch bar on both). Local dealers have great prices on both right now. Husky is about $35 cheaper. Stihl guy is a bit closer & seems like great place for parts/service. Have a 390 XP (20 inch bar) I love so was leaning toward Husky until reading epic 261-vs-550 thread on another forum. Just want a reliable saw for felling & bucking firewood to sell semi-commercially. Wanting something in the 50cc class my sons can run & I can take it easier with. Will do plenty of fall/winter cutting. Appreciate any & all advice!

 

[Hinerman]

Can't go wrong with either one. If you like your Husqy, go with the 550. Or just flip a coin. I am a Stihl guy but have three 346s.

 

[David Young]

the 261 is the new 346. its just about a perfect balance, its everything except cheap lol..

 

[Squareground3691]

Sorry guys; first post is yet another “Help Me Decide””.” This is a decision between a 550 XP Mark II or MS 261 (16 inch bar on both). Local dealers have great prices on both right now. Husky is about $35 cheaper. Stihl guy is a bit closer & seems like great place for parts/service. Have a 390 XP (20 inch bar) I love so was leaning toward Husky until reading epic 261-vs-550 thread on another forum. Just want a reliable saw for felling & bucking firewood to sell semi-commercially. Wanting something in the 50cc class my sons can run & I can take it easier with. Will do plenty of fall/winter cutting. Appreciate any & all advice!

There both good saws, witch ever dealer you feel most comfortable and confident with and a knowledgeable staff,

 

[jcarlberg]

Thanks guys; appreciate the feedback & advice!

 

[jcarlberg]

Went with the MS 261 with 3/8 chain on a 16 inch bar. Looking forward to getting some work in with this saw!

 

[full chizel]

Went with the MS 261 with 3/8 chain on a 16 inch bar. Looking forward to getting some work in with this saw!

Being that you’re in Canada you can get the performance kit for it

 

[jcarlberg]

Being that you’re in Canada you can get the performance kit for it

I never heard of such a thing; what does that involve?

 

[Canadian farm boy]

It’s a 3/8 picco 63PS set up. It’s a rim sprocket, 16” bar and 3 loops of chain.
This should be the PN for the kit 00000071900

 

[jcarlberg]

It’s a 3/8 picco 63PS set up. It’s a rim sprocket, 16” bar and 3 loops of chain.
This should be the PN for the kit 00000071900

Thanks!

 

[jcarlberg]

Picked 'er up today. Here's a few pics! About to run through the M-Tronic calibration.

 

[full chizel]

I didn’t calibrate mine i just beat it like it owed me money and it figured itself out.

 

[SCHallenger]

For some the inboard clutch on the Stihl is preferred to the out board on the Husky.
FWIW, the new RS23Pro .325 chain outperforms the Picco PS (lo-pro 3/8) on my MS 241, so I would expect it would do the same on the 261.
I see you have it already set up with 3/8 which should do very well with a 16in bar & is easier to sharpen than either of the other two choices.
Enjoy it!

 

[Woodpecker]

I’m not sure why you would bother with the calibration. Just run it like you normally would any saw.

 

[jcarlberg]

I’m not sure why you would bother with the calibration. Just run it like you normally would any saw.

‘Cuz I’m kind of a rookie compared to most of the rest of you so figuring I should follow the instructions!! Good to know I should be ok if I messed it up tho

 

[Woodpecker]

‘Cuz I’m kind of a rookie compared to most of the rest of you so figuring I should follow the instructions!! Good to know I should be ok if I messed it up tho

Just run it the M/T will sort itself out.

 

[Khntr85]

My 261 came with a 16”, from the first tank it was begging for an 18-20” bar…I have an 18” on it now and have been running it hard in hard woods too…it’s gotten better with each tank ran threw her…

 

[Khntr85]

‘Cuz I’m kind of a rookie compared to most of the rest of you so figuring I should follow the instructions!! Good to know I should be ok if I messed it up tho

I flipped threw the manual and it doesn’t say it needs it right off the bat…I have just been running mine with zero issues…I wouldn’t want to hold a new saw WOT throttle anyway….

 

[jcarlberg]

I flipped threw the manual and it doesn’t say it needs it right off the bat…I have just been running mine with zero issues…I wouldn’t want to hold a new saw WOT throttle anyway….

Ok just going off what the shop owner said. Hopefully no harm done.

 

[Khntr85]

Ok just going off what the shop owner said. Hopefully no harm done.

The shop
Owner said to do the reset, they never cease to amaze me…saws prob fine but these people selling saws are something else