288 vs 385/390 opinions?

[fleethirte]

i’m no expert but i think a 372 or the 7310 would be my recommendation.
288 to similar in weight and specs to the 395 in my opinion.

i recommend a 288 however if you just want one and another chainsaw lol

 

[Gord404]

One other thing to consider. I believe the 390xp had reliability updates over the 385. My memory may be off but I think the bearings are different at least.

yes they did have a sealed bearing problem on a lot I have worked on, wasn't a tight fit on the sealed bearing side to the crank- leaks or spun bearing issues

 

[davidwyby]

372 isn't enough. MS461, dolmar 7900 weigh about the same and have more grunt (76/80cc). That's what I would do for 28". Or run 385/390. Probably 385 32", less bending over. I love 288s but overkill weight and low end grunt for 28". I run them longer bars felling saws where I'm not in a hurry and don't want it to stall. I like a ported 390 for bucking, fast. I rarely use my 395 since I got the 390. Actually a red one, 2188. If I'm gonna put a big bar with .404 on and buck up big nasties I often go straight to the ported 3120 over the 395.