ms 390 bashing

[nilzlofgren]

Hello, I am new to this forum, and thought I would look up "ms 390" since I own one. I was shocked to find out that that the majority here, don't like the 390. Now I know that it isn't designed to be a pro saw, or would be the choice of loggers or land clearers, but I have an excavating business, and have used my 390 faithfully to cut driveways and clear as much as an acre or two at a time for horse pastures. As I said earlier I wouldn't expect it to work a 40 hour work week, but it isn't a bad saw. Also, I stick to a 20" bar only. Does anyone agree?

 

[stevieb]

I have run one for 5 years on a 20" bar with no complaints but now I have a MS044 and to be honest the difference is significant and now I would never go back. But your right if its what your used to it's not a bad saw

 

[fullbore]

I also used one for about three years mostly for firewood cutting and some clearing. It was a good saw, but i soon realized that a 044 was about the same weight, and had better power. I ended up getting a new 046 mag. The difference was incredible. I eventually traded the 039 for another new 046 mag.

 

[stevieb]

You'r right if I had not been introduced to the 44 I would be very happy with the 39. I'm about to strip it down and re-build it as it still has a place in my tool chest

 

[asb151]

Hello, I am new to this forum, and thought I would look up "ms 390" since I own one. I was shocked to find out that that the majority here, don't like the 390. Now I know that it isn't designed to be a pro saw, or would be the choice of loggers or land clearers, but I have an excavating business, and have used my 390 faithfully to cut driveways and clear as much as an acre or two at a time for horse pastures. As I said earlier I wouldn't expect it to work a 40 hour work week, but it isn't a bad saw. Also, I stick to a 20" bar only. Does anyone agree?

You have to realize that small differences in weight, handeling, and power can be the topic of detailed discussion here. It's the nature of the site. If everyone used a 460 or a 372XP there wouldn't be much to talk about.

My good friend used to have a 390. It's a decent saw for what you are using it for.

 

[Diesel JD]

I like my 390. I ahaven't been spoiled with a pro 4 cube saw though, so when I get an old 038 MAG or 044 and get it running like I like it, I may think the 390 is wimpy too. I run mine with a 25" bar most of teh time and lately I have been running it with a 16" bow guide. It works great. I imagine it would be a heck of a lot faster with a 20" but I hate leaning down. It was too small for the 28" bar I started with but for the 25" and bow guide it has worked out well.

 

[Chris11]

The MS390 is made to last about 600 hours. In this time you can cut several larger forests into firewood. This would transfer into four month usage full 8h a day. If decent maintained the saw will outlive most homeowners and give professional users several years usage. Only the logger who uses day in and out his saw full time will need his 1200 hour pro saw.

My personal opinion is that this saw will outlast the usual China saw by over 10x in lifetime let alone saving you frustration.

There is nothing wrong using this saw. You have to put 2x the money on the table to get a saw that will last 2x as long and has a bit better characteristics.

Best regards
Christian

 

[Luke]

Run Now!!

nilzlofgren,

Welcome to the site.

Run now!! If you stay on this site too long it will cost you a fortune! You will find you yourself buying all kind of stuff you don't need. Then that won't even be enough and you will have to start modifying it!! Then comes the types of chains..... a Silvey...... Take it from me, I had a 290 when I found this site!!!

Luke

 

[ccicora]

Look up 029 or 290 muffler mods, It will wake up that 390 and you can start to put those more expensive saws to shame.

 

[Former Saw Builder]

They are great saws we still sell aolt of them they out sell the 310 in our store... you don't need to mod anything just cut wood and enjoy your Stihl it won't let you down if your take good care of it.

 

[Diesel JD]

I was told by one dealer it was a piece of crap on more than one occaison. I was told by this person that the piston was too big for teh bottom end and that it would break. They also told me that the bow bar would make too much heat for it and melt it down. That hasn't happened yet,a nd I have cut a lot of wood with the saw. I like it.

 

[sawinredneck]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

nilzlofgren,

Welcome to the site.

Run now!! If you stay on this site too long it will cost you a fortune! You will find you yourself buying all kind of stuff you don't need. Then that won't even be enough and you will have to start modifying it!! Then comes the types of chains..... a Silvey...... Take it from me, I had a 290 when I found this site!!!

Luke

I too have the same quandry.... I have been lurking about the site for 3 months now, and all I hear is "stay away from the 390". I bought one and love it!!! I compared them all and pound for pound, dollar for dollar, HP to HP, you can't beat the prce for firewood or homeowners. I have modded my muffler and tuned it, it runs the 20" great, the 25" leaves a little to be desired but versus the $330 diff. to a 440, how do you go wrong?
Andy

 

[16gauge]

I too have the same quandry.... I have been lurking about the site for 3 months now, and all I hear is "stay away from the 390". I bought one and love it!!! I compared them all and pound for pound, dollar for dollar, HP to HP, you can't beat the prce for firewood or homeowners. I have modded my muffler and tuned it, it runs the 20" great, the 25" leaves a little to be desired but versus the $330 diff. to a 440, how do you go wrong?
Andy

Wecome Andy, we need more independent thinkers here. Again...welcome:greenchainsaw: You'll be buying more saws if you keep looking here.

 

[sawinredneck]

Thanks 16Gauge

Boy do I know you are right!!! Already bought the ms192t after reading about it, love it as well! I really think I want a Washington modded 460, but... do I need it?...... No, will my wife leave me?..... Yes!

 

[sawn_penn]

nilzlofgren,

Welcome to the site.

Run now!! If you stay on this site too long it will cost you a fortune! You will find you yourself buying all kind of stuff you don't need. Then that won't even be enough and you will have to start modifying it!! Then comes the types of chains..... a Silvey...... Take it from me, I had a 290 when I found this site!!!

Luke

Yep. Hit the nail on the head. I probably remove two trees a month, yet I'm looking at my saw lineup and thinking, "a 260 'd fill a gap in the range", yet when a 460Mag comes along 2nd hand, I'm off chasing it. I hardly use the big saw I've got, so why do I need another big one?

Is there a 12-step program anywhere?

 

[sawinredneck]

Is there a 12-step program anywhere?

Or at least a spousal support group so "SHE" understands and doesn't leave you?

 

[geofore]

More saws

Boy do I know you are right!!! Already bought the ms192t after reading about it, love it as well! I really think I want a Washington modded 460, but... do I need it?...... No, will my wife leave me?..... Yes!

Talk to Rawtreelimbs (Rich H.) about the wife thing. He's gotten a few saws past his wife and she hasn't left him yet. I don't think he owned a modded saw when I met him for the first time a few years back. He has a few now. If you're serious about treework and saws it doesn't hurt to have a few saws as backup. When you have a few backup saws don't leave them at home. Say you're going to cut a cord or two of firewood, load each saw with gas and oil and as one runs out of gas, set it down, pick up the next one and run it empty. That way they all get a bit of run time to stay in shape and they won't get jealous of one another, one getting all the run time.:greenchainsaw:

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I've always said that the 029 series of saw (290/310/390) are fine saws in their intended roles, but not especially beyond that. They're effective and work well, but I couldn't imagine hurking one around all day for the power it has. That's the complaint. I can lug a saw that weighs just as much as the 390 and have two or three more hp at my hands. That's significant. Do a search as well for "homeowner vs. professional" and you'll get more reasons.

The 390 is a fine firewood saw for a guy heating his house. It's not at timber saw. It's not meant to be.

Jeff

 

[16gauge]

I've always said that the 029 series of saw (290/310/390) are fine saws in their intended roles, but not especially beyond that. They're effective and work well, but I couldn't imagine hurking one around all day for the power it has. That's the complaint. I can lug a saw that weighs just as much as the 390 and have two or three more hp at my hands. That's significant. Do a search as well for "homeowner vs. professional" and you'll get more reasons.

The 390 is a fine firewood saw for a guy heating his house. It's not at timber saw. It's not meant to be.

Jeff

Jeff is one to listen to for advice. He is not a biased person and he used to have a MS310 if I recall. Please correct me Jeff. But once you get comfortable with the 390 (you sould never actually get comfortable with a chainsaw), then you NEED to try the MS391. It speaks for its self. In 30 years of using saws I have found nothing else like it.

 

[sawinredneck]

going to start the games now!!!!!!

I've always said that the 029 series of saw (290/310/390) are fine saws in their intended roles, but not especially beyond that. They're effective and work well, but I couldn't imagine hurking one around all day for the power it has. That's the complaint. I can lug a saw that weighs just as much as the 390 and have two or three more hp at my hands. That's significant. Do a search as well for "homeowner vs. professional" and you'll get more reasons.

The 390 is a fine firewood saw for a guy heating his house. It's not at timber saw. It's not meant to be.

Jeff

I have been reading a lot of you're posts lately Jeff, and you are a man of reason from what I can tell. And.... You just hit the nail on the head!!!!!! It is not a pro saw! It is not meant to be, but for persons like myself that don't run them all the time in the woods, they are awsome! If you are running one day in and out to make a living, pony up the money and buy the pro model!
Andy