50cc firewood saw

Choices are Stihl 261, Echo 501p and 4910 or Husqvarna 550xp.

Which one would you choose for firewood 18" and under as a light weight addition for an MS 362? And why?

 

I guess I’d have to ask what your budget is? If you’re on a tight budget I’d go with the echo 501/4910. Best bang for the buck and lightest 50cc saw as well. If you didn’t mind spending some more money I’d suggest the 261 because it’s the same bar mount as your 362. If you want the fastest 50cc saw I’d say go with the husky 550. Really hard to go wrong with any of those three saws.

 

Echo 4910. Because it's the lightest 50cc. Also it uses the same 3/8 .050 chain as the Stihl 362.

 

Personal, super biased opinion because I own it, Echo 501p. Lowest price (exc. 4910), low weight, captured bar nuts, no chip, old fashioned tunable carb once you pull the limiters. Can't go wrong with any options. Being able to swap bars/chains is nice if you go with the stihl and make sure it has a 3/8" sprocket. Honestly, its dumb how nice captured bar nuts are. Not that I'd make the choice on that alone.

 

Echo 4910, Stihl ms261

 

Mic drop! That says it all.

 

Captive bar nuts? Nice.

 

Echo just warranted my 26 year old ignition coil !! Can't say enough good about my experiences with Echo products.
I'd say get the one that feels best in your hands. Otherwise these are all pretty reliable choices.

 

I went through this decision last year. I had it narrowed down to the Husky 550 and Stihl 261CM. My dealer carries all three brands so I was able to put both of my choices in my hands and went with the Stihl based strictly on ergonomics. I'm betting they would have performed about identically and the Husky was cheaper. (Bigger margins on Husky so more dealer discount available...) However, the feel and balance in my hands had me willing to spend the additional money on the Stihl. I've been extremely happy with it so far. It does seem to have a break in period as it seemed weak and bogged easy for the first few tanks of fuel. Now, it's a completely different saw and pulls like it has far more CCs that it does. No regrets on my decision. If I were you, I would try to find both in a shop and get them in your hands. One may well feel a lot better to you than the other... or maybe they will both feel good and you can save some money with the Husky... One thing I do like better about the Husky over the Stihl was the primer bulb but it wasn't enough to sway me...

 

I’ve used 261’s in both versions and would recommend either version to anyone, because they have been trouble free, have good power for the size and weight. At home I use my 261c more than my other saws. At work, next to the 201, the 261’s get the most use.
No experience with the other saws in the running, but I believe that any pro level saw that gets adequate maintenance and is only used for firewood should provide many years of dependable service.

 

261 for the win. Ive owned two (sold one earlier this year) Reliable saw as is a 362. My go to saw. Came with a 20" bar and ive buried it in big oak and it handled it. I prefer the 16" bar on it.

Ive been using Stihls almost exclusively since 1985 so im biased. How long have you owned your 362? Seems you would want to have the same brand if you already own one. All three brands are very good saws.

Once you get a 261, a 462 is in your future!

EDIT: my first was a "carbed" version and the second is the Mtronic. I like Mtronic as i suck at adjusting carbs.

 

Echo 4910 or stihl 261
I've got both the Stihl and echo....
The echo (mine is disguised as a shindaiwa 492) is a good saw, and actually has really good handling .....even though it's shaped like a pumpkin.....but the av is pretty poor, and it's nowhere near the 261 in performance.
It's not broken in yet so performance will definitely improve quite a bit as it time goes on..... unfortunately the av won't improve with use.
I really don't have anything negative to say about the 261 other than the on / off switch is upside down like all Stihls....... (I wonder if light switches are like that in Germany).

Never ran a 550xp.....they are silly heavy (on paper anyways), and the ones I've handled don't feel that great to me either.
Most guys that have em really like em, so I'm sure they are great saws.... but, I can't seem to want one bad enough to try it out.

As near as I can tell the 501p is not worth any extra money over the 4910....(back when it was the 490 vs 501p it made a lot more difference)

 

I'd like to see that comparison with broken in saws, as well as the echo 4910 in the mix too.

 

Yup, my Stihl wasn't winning any races for the first few tanks!

 

I don’t have it on video but the outcome is the same. 550 is 1st and the 4910 is 3rd in the speed department

 

That's it. I'm selling...

 

Not really one of the choices, but the Husky 346XP is the finest 50cc saw ever made, bar none.

I've got a couple one is ported the other was ported by Tree Monkey.

 

I agree w/ this statement 100%. If they were still available here, I’d have recommended it.

 

Does the Stihl get quicker at least?

Port the echo with the cash savings. Then run em again. And still save some $$$ over either husky or Stihl.