STIHL MS 241 Chainsaw Review: "Downsized Version Of The 261"

The Stihl MS 241 is a 42.6 cc pro-level chainsaw that is praised for its performance in its weight class.

It’s one of the lightest and lowest-powered professional chainsaws that has ever been made, making it a top choice for arborists and others in the tree care industry.

The 241 is no longer for sale in North America because they likely didn’t want it to compete with the similar MS 261, and the two were too close in price. However, the 241 is still being produced and sold in other locations, such as the United Kingdom.

Stihl MS 241 Versions

how to use the ms 241 — Image: @islam.002

There are a few versions of this chainsaw:

STIHL MS 241 C-M = MTronic chainsaw
STIHL MS 241 C-M VW = MTronic with handle and carburetor heating
STIHL MS 241 C-BEM = MTronic with ErgoStart and quick chain tensioner

All versions are MTronic. This feature means the saw has a self-tuning carburetor. Some guys like being able to do it themselves, but most think it’s a good feature.

We have a large discussion on the M-Tronic system in our STIHL MS-261 C and STIHL MS 201 T reviews.

MS 241 Reviews

testing out the ms 241 — Image: @islam.002

Here are user reviews from the STIHL Chainsaw FB Group (it’s very much worth joining).

Paul said:

Great saw. I hate to admit it but I like it more than my other saws. At 9 lbs it’s the lightest pro saw.

Andy said:

My first one lasted 11 years and always started first pull regardless of weather conditions.
They are very reliable and have a great power to weight ratio.

Martin said:

Found a new ms241
I made my money 12 times over with my old 241 and it still works great…
Wonder why they quit making these… they are the best groundie limb saws…

Steven said:

The 241 is a cracking little saw. I ran one a few years back on some small commercial felling jobs, the little saw just kept getting the job done.

Lee said:

I love my 241! I think people felt like it didn’t look like a $500+ saw because of its physical size. But it would scream!

Jon said:

I have two. Excellent little saws. They’ve never missed a beat and have paid for themselves 100 times over!

Derwin said:

They are screaming banshees for 40cc class saw. I liked my first so much I bought a 2nd.
Probably most used saws I own for smaller trees and limbs.

Bryan said:

Cost was too close to a 261. And made power like a well tuned 250 that was on a bit of a diet. Most people just went to the 261 or 250.
They didn’t sell enough in the US. A damn shame really. Definitely a European type saw. Believe they are still selling them there.

Mark said:

Stihl reduced the number of models… it is a money thing…
260/261 etc was too popular. And and 241 to close to it.
It was a pro saw and for the money people either bought 260/261 or went down to farm and ranch for 250.

Chad said:

I have a MS241C I purchased after finding out they were being discontinued. It is my go to saw.
Lighter then my MS250 and more chain speed. Great balance and terrific anti-vibe. After running an m-tronic saw I won’t have anything else.
The 241 is a very underrated saw.

Brendan said:

I love my 241 cm, I got a 16” bar on it and it is super light. It rips through logs and is a good firewood saw!

Gary said:

They were too good.
9 times outta 10 if it’s too good the cancel comes through. And the 261 only cost a bit more.
A lot of people claim the 241 is a bit of a unicorn now that it’s discontinued and didn’t sell as well as the 261.

Ryan said:

Best saw they ever made imo.
I own 2 and have every pro saw Stihl makes and the 241 would be one of the last I’d ever give up.
Sharp chain you can’t beat it for it’s size but a dull or stock chain they will lose power on since they are only 43cc.
I run a 16” light bar and 3/8p square grind. Absolutely live it.

Shorter reviews and thoughts:

Brent said, “It’s an awesome saw!!!!”
Vince said, “I have never been fortunate enough to run one. I would love to.”
Scott said, “Sure wish they would bring them back. Lightweight powerhouse.”
Michael said, “I would sure buy one if they were still available in the US. Back when they were, I got a Husqvarna 543 XP instead.”
Lee said, “Badass little lightweight saw. Screams!”
Jacob said, “I had a 271 then I got my 241. I never touch my 271 anymore.”
Dan said, “The MS 241 is one of the best little saws STIHL has built. I have two of them and kind of wish I had another one to store for later.”

Feeling negative about the 241, Shane said:

No primer on it. Don’t run it out of fuel or you’ll be pulling it 20 times. Have you considered buying a good brand of saw?

He received replies like this:

“I’ve never had to pull a pull cord that many times. I maintain my saws 😉”
“I’ve never had an issue starting a saw with no primer bulb 🤔”
“How many dirt bikes have you seen with primers?🧐 Primers don’t belong on chainsaws”
“How is that different from the VERY popular MS260/261 series? The two saws are very similar in construction.”

And Michael replied:

Decompression makes you pull more times than if you didn’t use it. But if you run your saws all the way out of gas you damage your motors. The fuel line in the tank sucks unmetered air. So don’t run your saws out of gas ever.

And the only other bad review we found said, “I had one for a day then took it back and got an MS 271.” Though he didn’t expand on why.

STIHL MS 241 vs 261

User ‘Skip Sail’ shared this comparison of the 241 with the 261 in the STIHL Chainsaw Fans FB group.

241 – 261 comparison for those of you who may be interested.
I had a good day today blocking up super hard yellow box (hardwood), that I dropped yesterday, into firewood.
Decided to give the ported 241 a run against a stock 261 and see how I felt at the end of the day about the two.
Ran PS chain on both (I prefer it to .325 on smaller saws).
The 241, even though it was the smaller saw, had noticeably more low down grunt, probably due more to the dual port muffler than the porting. It was impossible to bog down, whereas the 261 could sometimes falter. However, this was not really an issue.
The 241 also revved harder,and was quicker in the smaller stuff. There wasnt a huge difference, but enough to notice.
The lighter weight of the 241 had me reaching for it more often as well, however, it chewed fuel like a truck compared to the 261.
I already knew how well the ported 241 performed, having used one for the last couple of years, but was pleasantly surprised at the stock 261s performance (first day I’ve had it out).
The weight of the 261 was its only downside to me.
Next present to myself will be a ported 261, I reckon, or I may just send this one off for a tickle up.
Both are great saws, and I highly recommend them.

And some shorter comments on the 2 saws.

Mike said, “The 241 was the best saw made now the MS 261 has taken over.” And Joe said, “They priced it $50 less than a 261 which killed sales on that. They would push 261s over 241s”

Specs And Features

STIHL	MS 241 C
Displacement	42.6 cm³ / 2.59 cu in
Power output	2.3 kW / 3.1 bhp
Bore	42.5 mm / 1.67″
Stroke	30 mm / 1.18″
Speed	2,800 – 10,500 rpm
Bar length	35-40 cm / 14-16 in
Weight	4.5 kg / 9.9
Power-to-weight ratio	2 kg/kW
Saw chain pitch	3/8″P
Saw chain type	Rapid Super (RS)

Price And Parts

In the UK, the MS 241 C-M is priced at £879.00. This equates to US$1,110.89.

It’s a pricey 40 cc saw, that’s for sure!

In the US, used 241s sell for between $400 – $500, though they can go for much higher if they’re in very good condition.

Albert said:

241 is a nice small pro saw. Very clean and running $425 is an okay price. If it’s that one in the picture it looks almost new. I’d grab it.

Further comments:

Neal said, “Just bought a new one for 550 shipped.”
Brad said, “Worth every dollar. Think I paid a little over 400 for each one I have. No longer made here in the States so grab good ones when ya can.”
Allen said, “I overpaid $650 for mine on eBay because I really wanted one. Probably should have held out for a cheaper one, but I’m happy with it.”

Parts for the 241 can be hard to find.

HL Supply has some, and Amazon has some generic aftermarket parts.

Ebay is the best place to find OEM parts or parts chainsaws.