Stihl MS261 or Wait For MS300

[Chainsaw]

I’ve got an old Stihl MS260 Pro I bought new years ago, it has been a GREAT chainsaw and cut many cords of firewood over the years. It’s still going…

I’ve read a lot regarding the MS261 and they sound like another great chainsaw.

Now I’ve read there is a MS300 coming that is going to replace the MS261?

I went to the local dealer to price a MS261 with non-mtronic carb and it didn’t show up on their wearhouse screen to order - only mtronics versions.

Another dealer had a non-mtronic MS261. Wondering if this configuration has already been discontinued and if I should snatch up the saw while I can.

Or…. Should I wait on the MS300?

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[bogieboy]

I would dare say the 261s are already at the "whatevers left in the warehouse" status already....

 

[hacskaroly]

Wondering if this configuration has already been discontinued and if I should snatch up the saw while I can.

You really can't go wrong with either a mTronic or non-mTronic 261, I have an mTronic 261 and am very happy with it (bought it from someone who straight gassed it). Aftermarket and OEM parts are plentiful. There might be some growing pains when the 300 comes out so being one of the first, you may end up being more of a Guinea Pig, but you never know, it may run great right out of the gate!

 

[FederalQ]

I’d refurbish what you have, new fuel line, filters, plug, oil seals if needed and wait. But who knows how long that will be. Stihl seems to have turned into a fragmented company. There’s been word of the 400.1 for 2 years already and I don’t believe they’re even being sold state side today. The older saws had better build quality as far as I am concerned.

 

[sawmikaze]

I would dare say the 261s are already at the "whatevers left in the warehouse" status already....

261s are readily available to be ordered, 300s won't be here for a while.

 

[sawmikaze]

I’ve got an old Stihl MS260 Pro I bought new years ago, it has been a GREAT chainsaw and cut many cords of firewood over the years. It’s still going…

I’ve read a lot regarding the MS261 and they sound like another great chainsaw.

Now I’ve read there is a MS300 coming that is going to replace the MS261?

I went to the local dealer to price a MS261 with non-mtronic carb and it didn’t show up on their wearhouse screen to order - only mtronics versions.

Another dealer had a non-mtronic MS261. Wondering if this configuration has already been discontinued and if I should snatch up the saw while I can.

Or…. Should I wait on the MS300?

Thoughts? Thanks!

This is gonna come off wrong...

There isn't a person that's gonna post in this thread that has anywhere even close to the amount of time that I've had on a 261.

They are great 50cc saws with little to no problems, the cookie club is gonna bash you over the head with their favorite 50cc saw to play barbies and take videos with. If you want a 50 cc saw that will go the distance with modern features it's a great choice.

 

[2000ssm6]

I'd get a 261 while able. Unless your dealer is lazy, should be plenty of new carb saws out there in inventory.

Smitty's saw shack on fb had some if you want to go that route. Might be some other members here that could get you one also.

 

[EFSM]

This is gonna come off wrong...

There isn't a person that's gonna post in this thread that has anywhere even close to the amount of time that I've had on a 261.

They are great 50cc saws with little to no problems, the cookie club is gonna bash you over the head with their favorite 50cc saw to play barbies and take videos with. If you want a 50 cc saw that will go the distance with modern features it's a great choice.

A properly sharpened chain and a skillful operator are 2 things that real-world sawing need and many cookie cutters lack desperately.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

I wood just add the 300 is surely going to be offered only in MTronic.
If you don’t know, Ryan (sawmikaze) is in tree service, day after day, after day, so he knows the saw, and ain’t bashful about bringing up any shortcomings.
In my experience, 261’s take a while to break in. It will be a little bulkier than a 260 but well worth it. I have never had one lick of trouble with 5 or 6 mtron saws (I'm not in tree service).

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I’ve got an old Stihl MS260 Pro I bought new years ago, it has been a GREAT chainsaw and cut many cords of firewood over the years. It’s still going…

I’ve read a lot regarding the MS261 and they sound like another great chainsaw.

Now I’ve read there is a MS300 coming that is going to replace the MS261?

I went to the local dealer to price a MS261 with non-mtronic carb and it didn’t show up on their wearhouse screen to order - only mtronics versions.

Another dealer had a non-mtronic MS261. Wondering if this configuration has already been discontinued and if I should snatch up the saw while I can.

Or…. Should I wait on the MS300?

Thoughts? Thanks!

Where were you reading about this 300? They have an msa 300 that’s a battery saw that weighs like a 362 has power of a 261 and cost of a ms 400 but I’ve not heard anything of a ms 300. Only thing I saw labeled as an ms 300 was a YouTube video someone titled ms 300 to get clicks. In the video he admitted he bought a ms 261 even though he put ms 300 on title say it’s stihls newest efi saw.

 

[sawmikaze]

A properly sharpened chain and a skillful operator are 2 things that real-world sawing need and many cookie cutters lack desperately.

My 261s are run with a less than stellar chain a good amount of the time they run..and they still hang in there. They literally get tortured some days. It's the nature of the work.

If they can survive some of the killers I've worked with...that's a pretty good testament.

 

[IffykidMn]

I still run a couple of my original 026s from the 90s along with a couple of modern non M/T 261s

My dealer still has 261s for sale, perhaps time I order a couple of more just in case they are going away.

My boys run 261s in their tree care business as they came to the game a bit late for the 026s, perhaps my 026s 261 will be part of their inheritance when I decide to hang it up.

 

[av8or3]

I too am a fan of the 261. I have one ported by Doc that I call my light saber. A lot of work available in that little saw.

 

[bwalker]

Which ever way you decide go with Mtronic.
In my opinion the ms261is a turd as was the ms260 before that. If it were me I would wait for a Ms300. Stihl has really started to make great performing saws as of late.

 

[sawmikaze]

Where were you reading about this 300? They have an msa 300 that’s a battery saw that weighs like a 362 has power of a 261 and cost of a ms 400 but I’ve not heard anything of a ms 300. Only thing I saw labeled as an ms 300 was a YouTube video someone titled ms 300 to get clicks. In the video he admitted he bought a ms 261 even though he put ms 300 on title say it’s stihls newest efi saw.