Stihl MS261...

[trooney]

I got a hair up my azz and bought a 261 v1 off of ebay. Probably paid too much, but the hair had to be pulled. My question is are they a good runner compared to an 026? V2? I expect the AV to be superior but how do they run? Is it worth getting rid of my 026 PRO for?

 

[deye223]

I have one but it is ported it is only a couple of seconds slower than a stock ms460 in the same wood ID imagine it would be a lot stronger than a stock 026

 

[82f100swb]

I like the weight and balance of my 026's better than my 261. Stock, the 261 did have an edge, but not a huge one.
My ported 026 outruns my also ported 261 any day of the week. I think there is more in the 261 but I started with a damaged cylinder so I ported to make it runnable, not to the numbers I wanted.

 

[landlubber]

I have the first version of the 261 carb saw. I bought it new and I like it. There is some internet chatter about the clutch drum bearing wearing the crank down so watch for that. I have replaced the bearing a couple of times and I disassemble, clean and grease it every few times I sharpen.

I rebuilt a 026 from the crank up. Most of my use is farm type property where I walk around and limb small branches or cut up dead fall so it's on the ground and not hanging. The 026 feels more nimble but I have to fill the tank more often. The 261 has more power but for my use, I don't often require the power.

 

[Ronaldo]

261 has better AV and filtration. It is bulkier than the 260, but is considerably better in most every way.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

[trooney]

Sounds like it has its pluses and minuses.I like my 026, always have, but getting older the better AV has its appeal too.

 

[82f100swb]

Don't get me wrong, my 261 runs good:

With a 325 setup the difference isn't that noticeable:

But, the 261 will not pull a 3/8" setup like this, especially not in frozen hardwood:

 

[trooney]

Is the 261 ported?

 

[82f100swb]

Yes, quite heavily by the time I ground out the damaged port edges, it had a plug drop the ground electrode in the cylinder. It is strato delete at this point, and it has a popup piston.

 

[drf256]

Tom,

Put that 261 next to your 034S and take a look. It’s around the same size. I believe the 034S is a pound or 2 heavier-I’ve never weighed it. You know that 034S will kick its ass.

The 261 will make more power than an 026 because of the cylinder design. The 026/260 is a much more compact nimble saw IMHO. The V2 261 is bulky but very light.

If the 261 didn’t have Autotune I’d stick with the 026/260. I really like M-Tronic myself, always being at peak tune and not fishing for a screwdriver is a nice thing when you just want to cut.

 

[trooney]

I hear ya. All these V1 and V2, they should have named the V2 a 262. Anyway, thanks for the input Doc, always informative. I might keep it around for a little and cut with it, or just send it down the road. I lied yesterday, someone scooped up that V2. Looks like I'll be happy with my little PRO til a V2 comes along that wont break the bank and is in descent shape.

 

[drf256]

I sold my V1 reluctantly to a buddy that needed it. I quickly bought a V2 and replaced it.

 

[trooney]

I'll run it until a V2 becomes available within reason. I'd like to buy new but I've never bought a new saw and I dont want to start that habit! Lol

 

[PA Plumber]

I have a ported V1 261 and a ported 026. Both by the same builder.
The 026 is definitely more nimble and Loud! It's nickname is the angry saw.
The 261C is very smooth and it's nice not cleaning the air filter very often.
Short run time, the 026 gets the nod. All day comfort, the 261.
Getting older with more aches and pains, the 261 is now my main small firewood saw.

 

[trooney]

I have a ported V1 261 and a ported 026. Both by the same builder.
The 026 is definitely more nimble and Loud! It's nickname is the angry saw.
The 261C is very smooth and it's nice not cleaning the air filter very often.
Short run time, the 026 gets the nod. All day comfort, the 261.
Getting older with more aches and pains, the 261 is now my main small firewood saw.

Yeah, thats what I like about newer saws. I'm still about old school but its nice not having the house smell like Bengay after a days cutting!

 

[Wood Doctor]

The 261 has one major design flaw that has caused trouble. The choke control has lousy connection that wears out and eventually fails to hold:

 

[Wood Doctor]

The connection between the 7 and 11 eventually fails. Not good.

 

[trooney]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out Tuesday when I have the saw.

 

[blackjack99574]

My ported 261 pulls 3/8 20 in chain better than my ported 260 pulling 3/8 16 in through same wood. Ported by same guy. My 261 can keep up with a stock 460 in 20 inch wood and usually beats it in the cut no matter who runs either saw. 261 is my go to saw for everything up to 20 inch and a lil bigger just because it's light weight and fast cutting.

 

[Brush Ape]

My Stihl MS261 is pretty rad.