What makes the MS 261 better than the 346 XP?

[blsnelling]

9.6 oz heavier, eh? That's more weight than I had hoped it would be.

1/2 lb?

 

[rustyb]

Have you handled the 261 yet? Buy it unless there is something you really don't like about it-not what others on here don't like about it. I wouldn't want to drive 60 miles to get a saw repaired. The 346 could have a cat muffler and does have a rev-limiting coil.

Yes, but only in the store. And they had a 260 as well. I picked them both up and handled them for a while. The 261 looked and felt both heavier and bulkier. If it were not heavier than the 260, I would already have the thing in my hands sawing next winters firewood.

To throw another monkey wrench in to the equation of my indecisive and want-the-best-for-my-money anal nature, I found out one of the Stihl dealers in town also deals Huskys. He only had two on the shelf neither of which were 346's, however, he said he'd be happy to order one for me and the parts are supposedly no problem to get.

What significance does the CAT muffler and rev-limiting coil have on the performance? Easy to fix?

 

[nmurph]

If you plan to leave the muffler and ports as-is, then there is no need to change the limited coil for a non-limited version. When i need a unlimited coil, I go to ebay where they are readily available for about $30.

The cat muff will run hotter.

 

[rustyb]

1/2 lb?

Well, technically, it's more than 1/2 lb. May not seem like much but imagine a boxer with a 1/2 lb heavier glove on. He may pack a punch but that extra weight is going to wear him out faster than 1/8 lb extra.

 

[sunfish]

Have you handled the 261 yet? Buy it unless there is something you really don't like about it-not what others on here don't like about it. I wouldn't want to drive 60 miles to get a saw repaired. The 346 could have a cat muffler and does have a rev-limiting coil.

Seems the cat muff (E-Tech) on the 346xp is a thing of the past. I could be wrong, but my dealer sells a lot of 346s' and hasn't had an E-Tech 346xp in the last year and a half. He had 4 non-cats when I bought the new one last Fall.

Like said, the rev-limiting coil is no problem on a stock saw.

 

[bcorradi]

when it comes down to it...isn't it all pretty trivial and personal preference? Most of the people that are critiquing the other haven't run the counterpart they are criticizing. When it comes down to it...they both have appealing features that are truly based off the preference of the operator. In the end there are antagonists like ST that will never say anything favorably for a Stihl except the MS361. When it comes down to it..ST's mechanical ability is pretty much zero..and his experience with saws is pretty limited. However he does have a good grasp on saw specs...which are pretty much useless imo.

 

[sachsmo]

Agreed,

All the newer 50cc (Stihl, Husqvarna, Jonsered, Solo, Dolmar) saws are strong little boogers.

They will all fill the truck, and in about the same time if you know what you are doing.

The saw is only as good as the Man (Woman) on the trigger.

And more importantly, the user who maintains it!

 

[outdoortype]

Do you still have the 026?

If you still have the 026/260 you can swap bars, chains, sprockets and maybe even fuel filters with the 261. Also, if it's right on the heels of a 361 in terms of power, that would make a better combo with your current saw. What was the other local dealers (stihl/husky) price on the 346?

 

[rustyb]

If you still have the 026/260 you can swap bars, chains, sprockets and maybe even fuel filters with the 261. Also, if it's right on the heels of a 361 in terms of power, that would make a better combo with your current saw. What was the other local dealers (stihl/husky) price on the 346?

Yes, I still have my 260. It's set up with a 3/8" chain though. The 261 has the smaller chain. The Stihl dealer said he'd sell me the 261 power head only and a smaller sprocket for $512 so I could swap chains/bars. But, in a practical sense, I really need to sell my 260 to fund the new saw.

The other dealer said $519 for the 346.

 

[sunfish]

The other dealer said $519 for the 346.

That's a bit high for a 346xp, unless they had a big price increase lately. I paid $475 last Nov, list was $499. Other members here seem to find them for $450+/-.

 

[Jtheo]

I paid $460 total price for my 346XP last year.

 

[rustyb]

Bottom line the difference in handling isn't worth a hoot in hell.

The argument on handling is a pizz poor reason not to own either saw.

For limbing/trimming cleaning out fence rows I prolly couldn't tell any difference in either saw. Bucking up hardwood from 10" to 18" I'll take the 261 every time.

Reading this again brought me to this question: What size of a guy are you? I can easily see how a big sturdy dude who swings saws all day every day wouldn't notice much between saws that are only half a pound different from each other. However, for those of us smaller in stature and or thin (150-160 lbs in my case), there could be more of a difference in how these two saws feel after a few hours of use.

I'd be interested in hearing what size all of you are who have used both the 346 and 261 for more than a few minutes at a time. Seems like a fairly relevant factor in these handling discussions.

 

[rustyb]

That's a bit high for a 346xp, unless they had a big price increase lately. I paid $475 last Nov, list was $499. Other members here seem to find them for $450+/-.

That's what I thought but, I have purchased a couple other saws from this guy and bet he'd come down a bit.

 

[indiansprings]

Rusty, LOL, I'm only about 6-1 225-230 with two back surgeries on L4-L5, have had three heart surgeries and suffer from mixed connective tissue disease, but cut wood all the time and farm.
Bcorradi hit the nail on the head with the Norwegian Stihl basher, I'd bet money on any given two weeks from Sept to the first of Mar anyone of my saws cut more wood than any of his has seen in a their lifetime due to our operating a firewood business. During that timeframe it isn't anything to run through five gallon of mix in a five day period. Don't fret over your decision, just go buy one or the other and get to cutting, I'm saying what I like the best based on how we use a saw. Personally I don't like running anything bigger than a 044 or 361 for extended periods, I've got to get around to either picking up another 261 or 361 pretty quick though as the two sons and the two hired guys will walk by the 346 to pick either one of those saws up. It may be that they like the Stihl controls better as other than the efco I've got the remainder of the saws we use are Stihls. I've never used a warranty on a saw, but like the fact my dealer said he would stand behind the 261 for 2 years when I took advantage of the buy a six pack of ultra and double your warranty promotion that is in effect now. If I could pick up a 346 for the price some quote on here it would be a tough choice, I've got around 500 in my 261 and paid about 475 for the 346xp. It's going to be interesting to see what the dealer offers for a one year old 346xp, I've always had good luck with Stihl's holding their value. I like the 18" bar on the 261, prolly should have set the 346 up the same way.

With either saw you'll be happy. Some of the these saws are so close it comes down to personal preference, like the 440 and 372, either one are great saws and you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[SawTroll]

1/2 lb?

A bit more actually.

 

[rustyb]

Rusty, LOL, I'm only about 6-1 225-230 with two back surgeries on L4-L5, have had three heart surgeries and suffer from mixed connective tissue disease, but cut wood all the time and farm.
Bcorradi hit the nail on the head with the Norwegian Stihl basher, I'd bet money on any given two weeks from Sept to the first of Mar anyone of my saws cut more wood than any of his has seen in a their lifetime due to our operating a firewood business. During that timeframe it isn't anything to run through five gallon of mix in a five day period. Don't fret over your decision, just go buy one or the other and get to cutting, I'm saying what I like the best based on how we use a saw. Personally I don't like running anything bigger than a 044 or 361 for extended periods, I've got to get around to either picking up another 261 or 361 pretty quick though as the two sons and the two hired guys will walk by the 346 to pick either one of those saws up. It may be that they like the Stihl controls better as other than the efco I've got the remainder of the saws we use are Stihls. I've never used a warranty on a saw, but like the fact my dealer said he would stand behind the 261 for 2 years when I took advantage of the buy a six pack of ultra and double your warranty promotion that is in effect now. If I could pick up a 346 for the price some quote on here it would be a tough choice, I've got around 500 in my 261 and paid about 475 for the 346xp. It's going to be interesting to see what the dealer offers for a one year old 346xp, I've always had good luck with Stihl's holding their value. I like the 18" bar on the 261, prolly should have set the 346 up the same way.

With either saw you'll be happy. Some of the these saws are so close it comes down to personal preference, like the 440 and 372, either one are great saws and you can't go wrong with either one.

Thanks. I may be in better shape than you but you're certainly of a more sturdy build! You probably toss around a 361 with more ease than I would a 261.

Any way, thanks. I feel the same way about it being a personal preference thing. If I could run both saws back to back, I know it would be very clear which one to get. But I can't even handle both and I'm very anal not to mention cautious with my spending.

Is there a reason you run an 18" bar instead of a 16"? I had an 18" on my 260 but switched to a 16" thinking I'd gain a little zip from the saw, get more maneuverability and save a little weight.

 

[c5rulz]

Well one of my buddies went with me yesterday to a local saw shop and he ordered a 346XP. He has been a Stihl man but decided to switch after running my 346XP. He has an 026 right now that he cut 10 semi loads of pulp with and built a log cabin with.

Price was $99 cheaper for the Husky than the Stihl @ $450 vs. 549. The dealer was going to try and get him a pair of Husqvarna close out chainsaw pants like he got me for $25 too.

 

[rustyb]

Well, in a big surprise today, I discovered a new Husky dealer in town and they just happened to have a 346! I finally got to hold a 346! The size and weight differences between it and the 261 were pretty obvious to me. The handle angles seemed much different too. Couple other things stuck out in my mind...the air filter and controls.

Regarding the air filter, the top was plastic and the underside was mesh. I cut a variety of stuff. How does it do in dry dusty wood? Does Husky offer other and better filters? How much money?

The controls (choke, etc). Compared to Stihls, the Husky stuff looks cheap and feels flimsy to me. Have there been any issues with this stuff?

I want better anti-vibe than my 260...and I want a better air filter. However, I'm not sure I really want to be packn' and tossn' around the heavier 261 if the 346 filter and anti-vibe system is light years ahead of my 260. Thoughts?

 

[jmarheine]

Nothing.

 

[blsnelling]

There are three different filters for the 346. There is a felt filter for the dustiest of conditions. Yes, the 346 is light years ahead of the 260 IMHO. The MS261 is only 9 oz heavier than the 346.