Never have run a 241. Ive owned a couple 024's which the 241 evolved from. I replaced my 170 with my 201. Excellent very lightweight limbing saw. Mine wears a 14" bar.
Man, you haven't lived if you've never ran a 241...... Seriously though, I'd really like to run a 201 next to the 241....in fact I almost talked myself into buying a nice low hour 201 this morning.... The thing I really like about the 241 is though it's quite light and nimble, it's still got enough power to handle bigger stuff without wishing you had a bigger saw, as soon as you would with most sub 40cc saws. We run 18" or 20" bars on em with no problem..... The 241 is really nothing like an 024 in my experience.... just the same as the 261 isn't much like an 026/260.... but like you said, yes they are evolved from those saws. The 241 basically feels and runs like a scaled down 261..... I think for lots of small stuff it's definitely worth owning a 241 in addition to, or instead of a 261. If I lived closer I'd schedule a gtg with ya so's we could compare the two saws side by side.
This ole girl got a good work out Thursday evening. Working on some fence rows. Cut off all stumps and then topped out. Number on starter is wrong, it's a 71-72cc saw.
I have both. Bought new, ran 6-10 tanks stock then ported by Kevin. I like them both but I usually either grab the 2511 he ported for me or the 241. Don't gete wrong, the 201 is ripper but it's not in the same league as the 241.
I guess Brad Snelling, a well known porter that retired from porting, sold his self ported ms261c after he ported his 241.
Heck buddy, I'll sell you one of mine for $1500 delivered...... I just hate to see you getting ripped off by that other guy.....