Deciding between 2 new chainsaws -gimme your opinion

I have just today sold my 12-15 y/o Stihl 310. It was and still was running perfect.
Reason : I wanted a newer saw with a compression release that was at least as powerful and maybe as light or lighter as my 310.
I had a 20" 3/8th pitch chain on the 301 and want to stay with that size chain as I have 2 new and several used chains of that size. I want to stay with that size bar and chain
I have narrowed it down to 2 saws: the 362c-m and the 261c-m. I know the 261 comes with a smaller .325 chain, but my dealer said no problem to move up.
Now you can talk till you are blue in the face about other saws and brands, but IT IS DOWN TO THESE TWO!
Please give my your informed opinions on these two saws.
Thanks for your help!!

 

OK it has been 24+ hours and no answer. My conclusion is that everybody with either of these two saws - Stihl 261 c-m and/ or the 362 c-m - is either out cutting the hell out of wood or nobody has any experience with either of these saws
Thanks all for looking
Mark

 

Took down two decent size trees with my Echo CS400 today. But that’s only 18”

 

Glad we could help

 

@Slick Taco right up your ally

 

Help??

 

Thanks for replying -I am staying with Stihl.

 

No worries it was more of a bump

 

I’d get the 362, but I’m 37 years old and can sling it with a 20” bar for long periods of time.

The 261 is a fine saw. And will cut just fine.
I guess it depends on what you are cutting and how often?

 

My opinion would be the 362, it's a midrange saw. I had a 362 and the husqvarna 562xp, I no longer have the 362 because the 562 is the better saw all the way around.

 

Seconded with what you're cutting and how often. Either will do you just fine if it's seasonal or infrequent with routine maintenance, but if you're using it often, you may find the 362 to be better

 

Btw, I find a 24” is handy at times. But mostly run 20”.
The 362 is rated up to 25”.

 

Huskys are great saws. Usually a bit lighter. Parts can be harder to get where I am at, so I switched over to Stihl mostly.

when it comes to leaf blowers the Husky is the way to go. I love our 580.

 

Hi OP maybe I can help. I have been cutting for 30 plus years and have used a plethora of Stihl saws including the two you are debating. First can you tell me what type of cutting you're doing? Are you felling trees, limbing and bucking? Is the wood you're working hard wood or soft wood?

 

I pretty much heat with wood totally (In a older house "1935") been doing this for 35 years. I cut for myself, unless I go and help someone else with their cutting projects. I cut mostly (by far) hard woods (oak, hickory locust, walnut, and cherry) that are Missouri woods. I burn (per year -somewhere in the 3-5 cord range, depending on the quality and dryness of the wood. I try my best to season my wood at least a year after it is stacked and split. I also own (handed down from my deceased Father-in-law) a stihl 170 (14") and a Stihl 210 16". these I use for smaller branches and limbs. I also have a part ownership of a 25ton hydraulic gas powered splitter
I get my wood free from where ever. Latest - a 4 foot (across near stump) Shingle Oak that came down roots and all on my daughters apt complex. Also on the same day (after a single 5" rain in June) a 4.5 foot red elm which I will use as well (red elm is the ONLY elm worth using for firewood). These two trees will probably give me my next years supply of wood. Sometimes I get asked to drop trees, which I do -only if there is ABSOLUTELY no danger to me or surrounding structures. Wood cutting and splitting is a great pastime for which pays the heat bills AND KEEPS ME HEALTHY. I just sold my used (I bought new 14 years ago) Stihl 310 20" for $280. this saw ran perfect and never gave me a bit of trouble. I never run stuff till they die -- I sell stuff used while it still has value. I want a new saw in the same class -maybe lighter and with a compression release.
Thanks for listening,
Mark

 

Sounds like the 362 would be well suited for this.
You could grab a smaller bar to help save on some weight if needed, but it won’t be much.
I prefer having 2 saws, but understand that this isn’t always an option.

For limbing, I use an MS180 or 450 Rancher.

For bigger stuff I use the larger saws.

Anyway, the 362 sounds like the better option to me.

 

I run an electric.

 

I’ve run the electric Oregon saw.
It’s ok for for light stuff. Works fine for pruning and cleaning up low hanging branches.
Bradford pears and such. You aren’t going to clean up or take down the whole tree on a single battery.
But it will definitely cut those low hangers that tend to get in the way while mowing.
Plus, it can cut up most trees in the 16” range enough to get it off the road after storms.

The battery saws have a place, you can keep them INSIDE the truck for a long time, no need to worry with gas.

 

I have yet to hear of anyone cutting 5-6 cords (cord = 4'X4'X8') of firewood per year with an electric saw, and I do not want to be the first.
The idea of keeping one in the truck if one lived out in the boondocks is a good one. I have a city street dept. to take care of that
Even though thanks for your input!

 

I have cs-400 that stays in the truck, its hopped up running a 20" Husqvarna pro bar with 3/8 full chisel semi skip chain. The Stihl 311 is stock and stays in the shop for milling and felling those larger trees where you need 24" bar. For me I choose the Echo over Stihl 90% of the time mainly because it starts always on the third pull.