HP261C

309 hp ms261

I’ve ran about 20-30 tanks through the saw now. I run it on the front of my dirtbike for clearing deadfall off our multi-use USFS trails. This thing rips and has ran excellent since day one. I’m super happy with it, and am looking to purchase another 309 saw soon! Hp2511 next!

WOW!!!

I picked up the 309 Machine, ported 261 last year. Now that I've got a few tanks through it, I feel like I can finally give an opinion. It basically feels like a 60-62cc saw in the size and weight class of a 50cc saw. As I get older, weight has become a priority, and that's where this saw stands out. I have been running a stock 261C-M since 2017, and it has become my go-to saw for most things. I have a 500i for the bigger work, but there are times I need a little more grunt than what the stock 261 can provide, yet I don't want to drag out the 500i. That's where this ported 261 shines, think of it as an 18-20" bar saw on steroids. The custom 3/4 wrap handle is a work of art as well. I'm very happy to have it as part of the package. 309 Machine has excellent customer service and shipped my order quickly and professionally. I am a very happy customer and plan to return for future saw needs.

309 -- Ported MS261. Great Improvement over the stock saw

I live in north central Wisconsin. I've been using chainsaws for almost 50 years. I've used most brands ranging from 30cc to 111cc, but I've never used a ported saw. For the last 11 years I've been using a stock MS261 as a backup saw. My old go to 60cc, I used for most things, died some time ago so I've been using the 261 as my primary (not for the big stuff). To be honest I've never really been enthralled with the power of the stock 261. With an 18" bar it's about maxed out and you really can't dog it or it will stall. I've been looking for something with more power/torque, however ideally without adding weight. I finally ordered the ported 261 from Mike and received it a week ago. There is no question it has a very substantial increase in torque compared to the stock 261. You put it in the wood and it eats. The great bonus now is I have what feels like a 60+ CC saw with the weight of a 50cc. The lighter weight makes it extremely nimble to use. In addition, the throttle response is nearly instantaneous. I've changed the sprocket, bar and chain to 20" 3/8 (my old 261 was 18" 325). The new saw handles the new setup without issue. This is now my new go to saw for most of the tree cutting I do. One reason I went with 309 is the delivery time was a fraction of what other porters were quoting. In addition, something that was very important to me as I have some experience with milling machines -- Mike uses a CNC for the vast majority of modifications which eliminates the potential variability of hand porting (watch his video on YouTube). I also have a 500i (great saw) for the big stuff -- over 20". I believe these two saws compliment each other extremely well giving me the range to complete felling, limbing, bucking of any tree I have on my heavily forested property (mixed soft and hard woods -- saplings to 40ish inches).