Stihl Price Increase?

I have been eyeing a new Stihl MS 261 c-m
Looks like in my area the prices have gone up, a 261 with a 18 inch bar is gonna be around 818.00 out the door.
I certainly don't need one, I have a MS 270, 550xp, 5100s and a Homelite 330 in the 50cc range.
I have over a dozen saws, but my CAD has been acting up this year, Oh well.
Prices are truly getting insane....for everything.
Edit (forgot about my 5100s)

 

The only way to treat CAD is to get a new saw. Simple logic. Just know that you can't cure CAD. Good luck with your addiction.


My name is Mike, and I'm a hoarder.
Lopi Endeavor and Republic 1250

 

The price has doubled since they were first released. Good thing I got a few extras for backup.

 

Yeah they have gone up. I frequent a few Stihl dealers here in New Haven county and see it first hand.

Do you go on Facebook Marketplace (FBM)? I see decent 261's all the time. It is a good saw. It was my second pro saw and quickly turned my MS290 (sold in 2022)into a shelf queen.

Ive been asking them about the MS400.1 and none have arrived yet.

My CAD has never really left. I haven't bought a saw since the Fall and I'm due. Came close to buying a like new Echo 2511 top handle recently.

 

So glad I got my cad in check. What I have will easily last me long enough. Sounds like you already have plenty of 50 class saws.. Spend about 300ish and send one to Kevin for port work. You’d have no regrets when you got it back.

 

Spend three hundred and send it to me...You will have no saw, but possibly a few regrets!!!

 

If you are on AS, member 'humburner' is selling a used 261CM for $325 shipped to the 48 states. Seems like a really good deal. $500 less than new.

Yes, I am a CAD enabler!

 

Whats saws are you running over there Simon? Have you seen an MS400.1 yet?

 

I have too many saws. Main users at the moment are 254XP, 572XP, MS241, MS341, MS362, G444, G660, MS661 Arctic, and G888.

I have a few projects awaiting repair, all bought very cheaply over the past few years: 339XP, 372XP, 545, 550XP and XPG, 560XP and XPG, 565, MS241, MS260, MS261, MS362 Arctic, MS460, MS461, 480CD, 056, 088, and a very battered MS500i. Plus some small, older model Echo, Solo and Shindaiwa saws. Plus a bunch of cheap Chinese 52cc saws that will be beaters/loaners/give-away saws if I can get them running.

I have stopped buying chainsaws. I have been 'clean' since before Christmas. So although the 400.1 looks interesting I will not be buying one. Unless a broken one turns up cheap in a year or two and I get tempted.

 

Here's a NIB 362cm just listed today for $800. At that price I'm tempted. Over a $1000 at an OPE dealer.
Log into Facebook

 

I've seen that 362 on FB. I check FBMP a couple times a day. Durham is about 60 miles from me.
Been thinkin about a new cs4910 from ebay....but it ain't no ms 261.....but I do like Echo saws
I was drooling over the 261 in 2024, when they were under 700 dollars, that's when I got my 550xp.
There's a couple other good suggestions here too, like from wolverine, get one ported, and from Simon about the 261 on AS

 

For less than 1/2 that, send one to Kevin. You’ll realize you don’t need more saws, you just need the ones you have properly ported. My first one was done in ‘14 and has cut tons of wood, so don’t fret on changing reliability or longevity.

 

My vote is the Echo 4910 or 501p and have huskihl port it. Yes, I'll help you spend your money. Lol

 

Ive come close to pulling the trigger on a couple 4910's on FBM. I think one or both might still be for sale. Heard good things about them here and they have a cult following from what I understand.
Ive never owned an Echo saw, but an very pleased with the handheld leaf blower of theirs I've owned for years.

Good luck on your hunt and let us know how you make out.

 

Maybe one of these years Jason. I guess being a hoarder having more stuff is funner!

 

LOL! I've been clean since before Christmas myself. I still look daily for saw deals and have refrained on a few occasions.

341. One model I've never seen for sale. They only made them for a short time. I have a circa 1992 034 I should run. I do miss the 036 Pro I owned for a short time.

 

I think that they were more popular over here and in Europe?

 

Looks just like my 361. Well it should as they are almost the same saw.

 

Stihl is just loosing their arse to the china clones so is trying to balance their books on the backs of the remaining customers! I hear there's a 260 clone out now.

 

My CAD seems to have been in remission for the last couple of years, but I’m starting to feel a tickle like it’s starting to flare up again. Probably should just send some of the herd to Jason for the XS treatment, but for some reason the little 35cc echo 361 has me intrigued. They are discontinued, but still a few for sale online. I may have to scratch that itch. The older I get, the more the super bantam weights appeal to me.