New saw! MS391

[mikefrommaine]

MM and Dave - dang, you've really started an itch now - hmmmmm........sell 039 and 391 - won't be too far away from the 362! Cheers!

If you want to make a road trip there is a 362 for sale here for $350 but its got a cracked cover...

I can't speak to the difference between a 390 and 360/1/2 but I know I will never go back to a 290 after using a 026. Might as well resign yourself to an endless quest to find the perfect saw.

 

[NH_Wood]

Ha Mike - I hear you - the best saw always seems to be the one you don't currently have! Sounds like a great deal on the 362 near you. I'm thinking for my next personal saw to go new - I like the idea of knowing exactly how the saw was treated (in this case, not treated!) if I'm going to drop good $ on a saw I want to use for a loooonnnnnggggg time! Cheers!

 

[NH_Wood]

P.S. I'm not sure why a screaming yellow face is showing up on my posts - must be a shortcut key I'm hitting? I'm not that worked up about this!! Ha! Cheers!

 

[bogydave]

Did yo notice it only weighs 13 lbs?
AND it has 4.6 bhp.
Quit a power to weight ratio , eh?



Just trying to help LOL

 

[basod]

P.S. I'm not sure why a screaming yellow face is showing up on my posts - must be a shortcut key I'm hitting? I'm not that worked up about this!! Ha! Cheers!

Multiple exclamation points auto inserts it
!!
Nice deal on the saw.
I picked up the 391 and 362 side-side last week
the 391 a bit bulkier - 362 seems better balanced though it was wearing the hollow E bar

 

[Ashful]

Ha Mike - I hear you - the best saw always seems to be the one you don't currently have!

Get those 039/390's on eBay, and get yourself that 362. The best saw (for you) should be the one you own.

I think my three saws are the best three saws made, for me. I do wish the 064 AV had comp relief, though.

 

[smokinj]

Get those 039/390's on eBay, and get yourself that 362. The best saw (for you) should be the one you own.

I think my three saws are the best three saws made, for me. I do wish the 064 AV had comp relief, though.

lol I bet you do! Nothing quit like shinny knuckles....

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Ha Mike - I hear you - the best saw always seems to be the one you don't currently have! Sounds like a great deal on the 362 near you. I'm thinking for my next personal saw to go new - I like the idea of knowing exactly how the saw was treated (in this case, not treated!) if I'm going to drop good $ on a saw I want to use for a loooonnnnnggggg time! Cheers!

Not really. The best saw is the very recently re-discontinued MS440 Magnum. Which is why I got one. And it is perfect.

 

[bogydave]

Not really. The best saw is the very recently re-discontinued MS440 Magnum. Which is why I got one. And it is perfect.

Why?

 

[mikefrommaine]

Why?

He already said why -- it is perfect.

 

[NH_Wood]

Well, the 391 is on eBay now - and if she sells well, on goes the 039 (at least I'm 90% sure). A new 362 is starting to really speak to me - whispering sweet nothings.......

Cheers!

 

[StihlHead]

Serious question on bar length on this 391 - stihl site recommends bar length of 20" max - is that about right for this saw, or could I run a 24" bar for the big stuff? Not sure the saw would have enough grunt for 24" running a 3/8 chain. Thanks!

I had to do a double take on this, but indeed, my new Sthil catalog says a 391 is limited to a 20" bar. The 039/390 was limited at 25" (its a 24" bar but Stihl calls them 25"). My guess is the new oil pump output is limited, but the saw will drive a 25 inch bar. I use a 25 on my 361s the most of any bars in my collection (I have 16 though 32 inch in 3/8 standard bars for my larger saws).

I would get a 361 long before a 362. There is a nice 361 here on CL for $350 today.

 

[basod]

Well, the 391 is on eBay now - and if she sells well, on goes the 039 (at least I'm 90% sure). A new 362 is starting to really speak to me - whispering sweet nothings.......

Cheers!

You too huh?

 

[basod]

I would get a 361 long before a 362. .

Any insight as to why 361 over 362?

 

[StihlHead]

Any insight as to why 361 over 362?

The 361 is almost a pound lighter and it is less bulky than the 362. The 361 was a complete redesign of the 360, with the 361 having quad port transfers and other features that are only on the 361. The 361 is smooth with AV springs, and there is no advantage with the 362 with AV. Also the 361 was about $100 less in price. The 362 has a ~slight~ advantage in power and a ~slight~ advantage in gas use, but not power to weight ratio. The 362 does not have M-tronic, so there is no advantage in the ignition or intellicarb setup in the 362 over the 361. Some say they like the power band on the 362 better, but I have not noticed any real difference. The 362 is also said to have a better air flow to keep the air filter from clogging up, but I ran my 361 last week for 4 days straight cutting, bucking and noodeling several 100+ foot cedar and fir trees, and I never had to clean the air filter once.

The only reason they redesigned the 361 was because of US smog laws. The 440 and 460 were redesigned into the 441/461 to account for US smog and European AV laws. Running my 440 is far more tiring than running my 361s, and I am probably going to replace the 440 with another 372 (if I can find a good large engine one like I had before) or an M-tronic 441. Age is catching up with me and I much prefer to run smooth saws now. Otherwise I would keep the 440 as it is a better saw for cutting than the 460, the 441 or the 372 in my experience. On the flip side in the Stihl line, I like the 211 far better than the 210. The 211 is lighter, has more power, runs and cuts better, has spring mount AV, and is a way better saw. It is also a strato design, but you would not know it from the performance. However it has a weak stamped metal piston rod, and many consider that a serious flaw. I never liked my 210 though, and I gave it to my ex when we split up. My 211 is like a half size 361. Some new Stihl saws are better IMO, some are not.

 

[NH_Wood]

I hear you StihlHead - if the 361's were still being sold new, I'd be sold. I'm thinking my next personal saw is going to be new - I want to start fresh and treat her right. Most saws I buy are cleaned, fixed, and resold to feed my CAD. Cheers!

 

[basod]

I'm with NH_wood on this as well.
I just saw a clean looking 361 go for 450 on ebay
As opposed to a brand new 362 I'm watching @610 includes shipping

I plan on going down to the local dealer to see if they'll move off the 700 price point
It seems they never pop up here locally - all timber work here is feller-buncher

 

[WoodMan33]

I have read people all mentioning Stihl saws and even the 362. I have not heard mention of the Husqvarna 562 XP which is a tad lighter then the Stihl 362, and has auto tune. Its a newer saw and provides better options in my opinion only cause its a newer saw.

 

[NH_Wood]

Hi WoodMan33 - Welcome to Hearth and too the forums! I only talk mainly Stihl saws because most of experience is with those saws - easy to get a bias when you start to know a particular saw well and like them a lot! Lots of good reviews on the 562XP's and other high end Husqvarna line-up - you'll find lots of similar minded folks here! Cheers!

 

[WoodMan33]

Thanks for the Welcome NH Wood. I just thought this thread was missing consideration of the 562 XP.

 

[basod]

Thanks for the Welcome NH Wood. I just thought this thread was missing consideration of the 562 XP.

I can't knock the husky line of pro saws - just lack of any dealership within reasonable distance.
I have 2 stihl dealers one north 10mi one south 8

The Husky would have to come online and cheapest new is 675
If I'm buying new and something goes awry I'd rather drive down and talk to the same folks that made good on a tiller I purchased and didn't perform well
Keeps my money local as well

 

[mikefrommaine]

A new 362 is starting to really speak to me - whispering sweet nothings.......

We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious.. I'm coming for you my precious! (imagine my best Smeagol impersonation)

For me it's the 261 that is calling out. I could take the profit from the 346 I sold, sell my 024 and 026 and have enough to buy one... But I'd have one saw instead of two. And I really like both the 026 and 024.

 

[mikefrommaine]

Has auto tune. Its a newer saw and provides better options in my opinion only cause its a newer saw.

For me personally I like to keep it simple. I know there are people that have full faith in the longevity of the m-tronic and auto tune. But I like the proven concepts in the last generation of saws. I have no doubt that the saws I own will last me my lifetime if I take care of them. For someone that uses saws 5 days a week and is happy to get 5 years out of a saw the new systems probably make a lot of sense.

I know the most common problems on my vehicles are the myriad of failed electrical connections and or sensors. Unfortunately with vehicles we don't really have any alternatives today. While I still have the choice with chainsaws I'll choose old school. YMMV

Of course if I find the right deal I'll own an auto tune/m-tronic saw. I just won't pay anywhere near retail.

 

[NH_Wood]

Ha Mike - wish I had a witty Gandalf-esque comeback! I'd love a 261 too - but my Dolmar 510 really does well as my smaller saw - looking to get a new bigger saw for the big stuff. I'd have a real tough time dropping a good running 026 and 024 combination - two real nice saws. I just tore down a 024AV about a month ago - every single part sold fast - pretty popular saw! Cheers!