Older Stihl MS261 Info

[Bullseye T&L]

I have a friend going through his late dad's barn. He has an older Stihl MS261, not "C" or "CM", but with the adjustable carb and the older style clutch cover. He doesn't know the year, but there is a compliance sticker on handle that says something about meeting EPA 2012. He thinks 2012-2013 is about right in his memory. He was gonna get some good pics and serial number, but has been too busy to run out and get them. Couple of questions in the meantime:

1) In this year range, did these have a jug or clamshell design?
2) What are specs on weight and hp? I have read 11.6 lb and 3.8 hp.
3) How did they run against say a later model MS271, both having a 20" bar with .325/.063 chain? That is what it would replace on my side.
4) Any guesses at what a fair price might be?

This is one of my oldest friends, so if he says the saw is in mint condition, then it probably is.

 

[pioneerguy600]

A MS261 has never been a clamshell in any of its nomemclature, it is a PRO rated saw with a split chassis and bolt on cylinder. They are right up there with the Husqvarna 346 and as far as a 271 I have not run them side by side but worked over both the 261 and 271 not even in the same class. 261 would be my choice any day.

 

[BeatCJ]

According to Chainsaw Collectors Corner, 261 is a pound lighter and has 1/2 horsepower more. IMO, it also handles better. like said above, 261 is a completely different class of saw. Depending on condition, $300 - $500ish?

 

[Bullseye T&L]

Appreciate the info so far. The only reason I even brought this up was I had done some looking into the 261 a while back and I remember the talk was the new 261 model that came out being improved over the old, but I always take all that with a grain of salt. The hp numbers did get me wondering though how close to 271 the old version was though. I've run the new 261cm and it blows the doors off my 271 when running a 20".

 

[BeatCJ]

I believe an even older 026 would outperform your 271, too. Where I live, I can cut 95% of my firewood with my 026.

I've had mine ported, and it will run with a 361 until you start to get in the 16" or larger wood.

 

[Bullseye T&L]

I believe an even older 026 would outperform your 271

Yeah, I bought the 271 and kept semi-chisel on it for flush cutting stumps, or anything I didn't want a good full chisel chain getting into. But it struggles with the 20" in stumps, even after muffler mod and mild timing bump. Backed it down to 16" and it's better, but not big enough for stumping. For bucking, no problem. But, I think I just need to gift it over to my son and pick up the 261.