Stihl MS-261CM or Husky 550XP?

gsganzer · Apr 7, 2015

Looking for a new firewood saw in the 50cc class. I've owned both Husky and Stihl's over the years so I'm not exclusive to either one. I'm leaning towards the 550XP as it's slightly lighter. Probably will run a 16" bar for general use with a 20" for the occasional flushing of stumps.

Not planning to start a brand war, but folks seem to say that Stihl has fallen behind with some of the latest pro-model saws and Husky is the way to go.

Anyone have experience with both models?

DHD · Apr 7, 2015

gsganzer said:
Looking for a new firewood saw in the 50cc class. I've owned both Husky and Stihl's over the years so I'm not exclusive to either one. I'm leaning towards the 550XP as it's slightly lighter. Probably will run a 16" bar for general use with a 20" for the occasional flushing of stumps.

Not planning to start a brand war, but folks seem to say that Stihl has fallen behind with some of the latest pro-model saws and Husky is the way to go.

Anyone have experience with both models?

Have you looked at Echo ?
The CS-500P is a 50cc with pretty good reviews.

I got an Echo CS-400 it's been a really good reliable saw.

Never owned a Husqvarna chain saw, always had Stihl before getting the Echo.

atsah · Apr 7, 2015

I have used both, I am a Stihl guy at heart but the Husky is as good as the Stihl in this instance IMO.. I fix saws on the side so I get to run all kinds now and then. Which ever one you decide on will be a good choice.

Parkanzky · Apr 7, 2015

I have an MS-261 CM and absolutely love it. But I agree with the others here. The Husqvarna is also awesome. I'd handle both and see which you think looks better in your hand.

s219 · Apr 7, 2015

Can't go wrong either way. I own a 261, but I'd probably give a slight edge to the Husky. Also look at the Husky 562XP. Not much heavier but a whole lot more saw.

94BULLITT · Apr 10, 2015

I have a 261CM and I love it. It is very easy to crank.

gsganzer · Apr 10, 2015

I pulled the trigger on a Husky 550XP with a 16" bar and a 20" bar. $525 for the saw with a 16" bar/chain and $65 for the 20" bar/chain. Pretty good pricing!

Back in my college days, I used to be a certified arborist and spent a bunch of time swinging around in trees and doing logging work to pay my college bills. Back then, Mid-80's, we used Husky 266XP's for all our ground work. A 60cc saw is overkill for what I need but I still prefer the pro saws, I'll just use be using the 550XP to cut about 4-6 cords a year of oak firewood and for land improvement if we buy some retirement property in the coming years.

Looking at saws available today, what's really nice are the top handle "in-tree" saws. These weren't available in the 80's due to litigation concerns. I used to use a Stihl 010 or 011 for my in-tree saws back then. I must of had Popeye forearms back then or something, I can't imagine one handing an 010 or 011 in a tree today. I still have an 011 that I've beat to death through the years. It still runs great, but it's starting to show some age. I spent $150 on it last year to fix an oiling problem (the saw's not worth that, but it still ran great and I've had some sentimental attachment to it).

Between the new 550 and the old 011, I should be set for a while.

peterc38 · Apr 10, 2015

I have a husky 562XP and the predecessor to the 550XP (346XP) and both are very nice saws and great firewood saws. I hear good things about the 261 but never ran one. I had a 260 but sold it cause I liked the the 346 so much more. I dunno you probably can't go wrong with either but I'd take the 550.

Bluegill2 · Apr 23, 2015

You made a good choice! Both the 261 & 550 are very good saws! The 550 is a bit lighter, smaller & faster.

gsganzer · Apr 23, 2015

I've been able to use the 550 a little bit around my place and so far I really like it. I'm having a little bit of an issue with a warm start, but I just need to get the sequence figured out. I followed the manual, but that doesn't seem to do it for a warm start. I've only run 1.5 tanks, so I think it's still tuning.

I'm heading to camp for the weekend, so I'll be doing a bunch of cutting for camp and bringing a load back home. I'm looking forward to getting some run time with it.

The weight versus power is great! Probably the best 50cc saw going.

Bluegill2 · Apr 24, 2015

It'll take a few tanks for the AT to learn, then it should get better. Some of these AT saws like to have the high idle set for warm starts, but no choke, others not, some like a couple pumps on the purge bulb. My 3+ year old 562xp is the easiest starting saw I've ever run.

The weight versus power is great! Probably the best 50cc saw going.

YES Right next to the 346xp...

gsganzer · Apr 26, 2015

Bluegill2 said:
It'll take a few tanks for the AT to learn, then it should get better.
YES Right next to the 346xp...

I ran it quite a bit over the weekend and it definitely got easier to start. I did a muffler mod on mine, right after I bought it and the saw is really impressive running a 16" bar and chain. You can bury it in oak and it doesn't even get bogged down. It's a perfect saw for the type of firewood cutting I do on Texas hill country oak. Small and light enough so it doesn't wear you out, but great power for its size.

tjkubota93 · Jul 17, 2015

I sold a cs500p to buy a husky 545 and its awesome! I didnt want to spend 100 extra on the 550, and since no one i know has a 550 i will never know the difference.

Sawyer Rob · Jul 17, 2015

All I can say is, I absolutely LOVE my 550xp!!

SR

gsganzer · Jul 20, 2015

Update. I've been running the 550XP quite a bit lately and the more I use it the more I like it. It has a great power to weight ratio and is a great all around saw. Starting cold, warm or hot is a breeze. Make sure you look at the little graphic sticker that shows the proper steps for a warm start. The steps are slightly different than you might think and failing to follow them exactly can give you fits. If you follow the steps, no starting issues what so ever.

dgeesaman · Jul 25, 2015

Good to hear. I've yet to hear anything bad about either saw.

Debod · Oct 21, 2015

I'm looking at "both" these saws (MS261 & 550XP) and was going to get the 550, until I heard about the "Warm Weather" starting problems... I live in NV and I'm going to need a saw to start when it's 130 degrees out, without killing myself! I can't be pulling 30-40 times to start it... Exactly what is the problems with it? 20 years ago in NH, I had a Husky and the first start of the day was 7 pulls... No matter if it was 50 below zero or 98 degrees with 90% humidity... 7 pulls... Then first pull after that... I now have a bad back and need something that will start fast and cut fast without breaking my back... I'm going to be using a 20"bar so I don't have to bend as far when limbing trees and it will cut anything out here... Is the 550a "NEW" model and they just haven't got the bugs worked out yet? Or should I go with the 261 for faster starting? I have never owned a Stihl but I have cut with a few and they were ok, but just had to tinker more with them than my Husky... But like I said that was 20+ years ago and don't know if "China" has bought either of these saws or not... I'm looking at getting the saw in Feb when I get my income tax check back, so do you think that they will have the 550XP fixed for next years model? Or has this been going on for years with this model? As most all the other sites as well as this one say the 550XP is the better saw... But most people posting are from "Cold weather States"...it doesn't get below 40 much here... Most cutting will be 60+ degrees... Any help would be appreciated very much... You would think that they would have a "Monitor" on these sites, but I guess they don't... Way too many posts about other saws, same on the other sites as well... This thread is for MS261 OR 550XP "ONLY" Having to go through all the 361's 562's 440's 375's 461's and so on post to find the 3-4 post's about "these saws" is kinda ridiculous...IMO. A "Monitor" should remove any post that doesn't pertain to "these specific models" IMO...

dgeesaman · Oct 21, 2015

My two cents:
- I have an MS 261c (non-Mtronic). Even without the autotune, it consistently starts easily in mid winter or mid summer. I don't see 130F but I have started it instantly in 90F. Besides, the hot starting has more to do with how hot the saw itself is - not just air temp - so it may not affect you much.
- Starting sequences are very important. The differ from brand to brand and hot vs. cold. There are countless stories of owners who simply failed to operate their saw correctly.
- Run E0 fuel always. Ethanol fuel ages faster and hard starting is a common issue with old fuel. I use E0 in my saws and keep it no more than 3 months and my success has been really good.

Hope this helps. I personally would flip a coin between the two saws.

gsganzer · Oct 21, 2015

I live in TX and used my 550XP all summer with no issues. I'm not sure what hot weather starting issues people are experiencing. You do need to follow the diagram on the saw that gives you the cold and hot starting procedure. If you follow it, mine starts in a few pulls (3 max) every time.

That being said, I hear a lot of folks that say the new Echo's are the easiest starting of all brands.

RollingsFarms · Oct 21, 2015

I'm Stihl through and through, I own a 440 Magnum and a 260 pro and a 250 homeowner model. With that said, I'd buy the 550xp all day long and if you come across a 346xp buy that one too! The 261 is a good saw, it's just the 550xp is a much better saw.