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[mrsmith66]

.

 

[farminkarman]

Which one would win a race?

This is probably another "depends" answer. Depends on who ported them, and what their approach was for each saw. At one time I had both a MMWS Ms261c & MMWS 550xp Mark II. The 261 was strong & lighter, but the 550 ported is light enough, & borderline ridiculous....as in caused me to sell my MMWS 261 & 572xp.

 

[Stump Shot]

The one with the best chain.

 

[Stump Shot]

So, I have the 440 hybrid. And it's fricken badass. But now i'm trying to find a smaller saw to match it. The plan is to have a 261 and 400 done up by randy and see which one I use more/ like better and sell the other but now am wondering if a done up 550xp is all I'd need to compliment the 440/460. Seems as if a 550xp is what you'd get if you combined 261 and 400 together.

550xp is a pretty darn good saw right outta the box, just better ported can take on larger wood and handles 3/8ths chain like a champ. As far as picking between the two Stihl's it's going to depend on just what all you get into for cutting.

 

[farminkarman]

So, I have the 440 hybrid. And it's fricken badass. But now i'm trying to find a smaller saw to match it. The plan is to have a 261 and 400 done up by randy and see which one I use more/ like better and sell the other but now am wondering if a done up 550xp is all I'd need to compliment the 440/460. Seems as if a 550xp is what you'd get if you combined 261 and 400 together.

Depends on what kind of wood you’re cutting most of the time…in my case, it turned out that I am happier with a 50cc saw most of the time. I would love to try a ported 400, but can’t justify the cost.

 

[huskihl]

A perfect saw combo for tree clearing and firewood in Michigan is what I'm after. So the smaller saw would be pulling double duty as a limber and hardwood bucking saw. I must admit the hybrid is way more saw than I currently need but then again who needs a 440 six-pack just to drive to a parking lot. Sometimes you just have to have something The next saw will be the real workhorse. 261 vs 550 vs 400.
A dull chain is a sin.

I see you’re in MI. I’m having a gtg here in a week and a half. I’m sure there will be examples of each if you’d like to come try them out

 

[farminkarman]

I see you’re in MI. I’m having a gtg here in a week and a half. I’m sure there will be examples of each if you’d like to come try them out

If he comes, have him run one of your 346 variants…lol

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Buy the Stihl.

 

[Ryan Browne]

One nice thing about the 550 is that you can get it with heated handlebars in the US. Stihl makes the 261 with heat, but you have to import one from Canada. For michigan, I think it would be appreciated.

 

[redline4]

Just different ends of the log and knots make difference.

 

[sawmikaze]

Having an ms 400 and a 440 as a 2 saw plan would be pretty pointless.

Get a 261 or 550, they cut basically the same.

 

[2000ssm6]

The GTG invite is going to be your best bet. However, if you can afford it, buy both and sell the other here.

I used to love a ported 440, still a great saw but no longer use them and moved to the 461. The 261 and 461 make a better pair. I'm thinking the 462 would match the 261's vibe system better but have yet to try one.

No time on this 261 yet but having used others, they are a very smooth saw. I might get a chance to run a ported 550 in a few months but no time on one as of now.

 

[bradb123]

A perfect saw combo for tree clearing and firewood in Michigan is what I'm after. So the smaller saw would be pulling double duty as a limber and hardwood bucking saw. I must admit the hybrid is way more saw than I currently need but then again who needs a 440 six-pack just to drive to a parking lot. Sometimes you just have to have something The next saw will be the real workhorse. 261 vs 550 vs 400.
A dull chain is a sin.

I have a XS 550xp mkll , scarr 550xpg mkll and had a tree monkey 261 . If you are really interested in buying a 550 or 261 I would go to Kevin's gtg and run both the 550 and 261 . I use my 50cc saws mostly for limbing so handling and balance of the saw is very important for me . I use bigger saws for bucking , where the handling isn't as important to me . I am posting this so you don't make the same mistake I made . I ordered a 261 from Scott and had him port it . When limbing I normally cut some small branches and let go of the saw with my right hand and throw the branches out of my way . The 261 bar would drop on my chaps when I took my right hand off the saw . I'm sure the 261 is a great saw . I ended up selling the saw with probably 20 minutes of run time on it and lost about $300 . The mistake I made was never handling the 261 before I bought it . We all have different body types and uses for saws . Don't make the same mistake I did ! Go to Kevin's and run both saws and see which model suits you the best .

 

[Nutball]

https://img.masterblasterhome.com/data/video/107/107903-b1b7da852d16c1d9a1a6e96056de6f04.mp4

^Video^ of my 550MKII with muffler mod only, 24" bar 3/8 full chizel. The chain is as aggressive as the saw can take burying the bar like that, as you can see I let it cut under its own weight or it might stall out. A good torqy port job would be nice, but it's only 50cc, and doing quite well. I just like the reach of 24" and don't normally cut wood that big with it.

 

[ZERO]

MK1 ported by Alan @awol
MK2 ported by Steve @Stump Shot

Aggressive square cut chain 66dls

Aggessive rakers, filed below the Husky soft wood setting.

Both are a dream to run.

I will agree with Steve @Stump Shot from the earlier post, all in the filing.

 

[AlexStromberg]

I'd get a 550 just because the 261s clutch drum bearing is known to go bad way too often. Had to scrap two saws due to the drum riding on the cranking making it smaller O.D... Never had to change a 550 bearing yet.

 

[sawmikaze]

I'd get a 550 just because the 261s clutch drum bearing is known to go bad way too often. Had to scrap two saws due to the drum riding on the cranking making it smaller O.D... Never had to change a 550 bearing yet.

Huh ?

I've watched 261s get run to death and never seen that happen, I have one that easily has 1000 hours on it.

Is that you Niko ?

 

[AlexStromberg]

Huh ?

I've watched 261s get run to death and never seen that happen, I have one that easily has 1000 hours on it.

Is that you Niko ?

Think i atm have 4-5 companies struggling to keep their 261s running due to the bearing.

 

[old guy]

That vid. is impresive, my 550 only has a 16'' sugi, on it, but that saw is happyst when bar is buried in hard dry red oak.

 

[chipper1]

Is that you Niko ?

That's funny.

Think i atm have 4-5 companies struggling to keep their 261s running due to the bearing.

Maybe they put the good ones in our saws since they know we cut hardwood.
Need us to get you a few .