Stihl Chainsaws...Professional vs. Midrange

[BBush]

I am looking at purchasing a Stihl chainsaw in the next few days. I am in limbo between the professional and midrange series. I am trying to decide between the MS 310 or 390 and the MS 361. I know that the MS 310 and 390 are considered in the midrange line while the MS 361 is in the professional line. How different are these two line of saws as far as motor life expectancy and performance? What do you really get with the professional series that you don't get with the midrange series? I have seen in a few earlier post that the professional series is a little easier to work on but is that all? Does anyone know what the difference between life expectancies between the two lines is? For example, will the professional series last twice as long as a midrange series saw or is there even that much difference? Also what is the performance difference between the two lines? I see that the 390 has 4.3hp (but a bigger motor) to the 361's 4.4hp. In my book, that is pretty close....so will the 361 really outcut the 390 by that much? Does the 361 rev up higher than the 310 or 390?

 

[TDunk]

Get the 361. I'm not a big stihl guy, but the 361 is an awesome saw. Life expectancy all depends on how you take care of them, if you let it break in etc.. The 361 is alot easier to work on the the 290,310,and 390 IMO. Performance is a no brainer, the 361 will out do anything the 390 even thinks about, It revs quicker and higher. I could ramble on how the 361 is better for an hour, but your better off just spending the extra money to get a pro saw.

 

[Eric Egland]

Paper, plastic or Magnesium???

Well, here we are. If you are going to be using the new saw for average firewood gathering, get the 390 and meby a couple different bar/chain combos. Plus a loop of RD chain for the occasional dry application.
Spend the extra money there.
Why spend the bucks for the pro saw??? I can't see the big draw for the MAGNESIUM aspect.
"the 361 REVS higher and faster", well, so??? are we racing someone??????
I could see the pro saw, if it is being part of a production operation, where there has to be an edge, unknown to me, that keeps production up.
This is just an opinion.
Spend the extra money on a six pack and enjoy your new saw.
Eric of the mountain

 

[ciscoguy01]

Mid-range

Dude, all I got to say is would you pay $400 for 13lbs of plastic? Or would you rather pay $5+ for something that will still be in one piece when your kids are older??? As everyone so politely puts it... " 'nuff said"


Dude

 

[Just Mow]

361 thats all I got's to say

 

[Mad Professor]

Unless money is the deciding factor get the 361. Lighter, more powerful, and easier to work on than the 390.

I have a nearly 20 year old 036 (the 361s father) and it has never needed anything other than matainence, a couple of new bars, chains, and air filters.

 

[flashy]

stihl vs. stihl

My humble opinion......
Go with the less expensive saw. Even if you can afford a pro saw, why spend the money? I've NEVER heard of a plastic crankcase failing. If the saw gets stolen, run over, or accidentally destroyed, you lose less. New tech may come out in a year making all gas saws obsolete. The midrange saws last for years and years. If you needed a pro saw, you would know it. Apparently, you don't. As far as lasting long enough to give to your kids...... put the difference in a college fund.
You are in a good position on this tho. You can't go wrong either way.
God, Guts, Guns

 

[SawTroll]

361 thats all I got's to say

+1, if you want to enjoy using the saw. Nice tool just are nicer to use, even when time isn't an important factor.


...and the weight difference is larger than Stihl admits, if you care.

 

[davefr]

The price difference is only about $100 between 391 and 361. I'd get the 361 in a heartbeat. I really like Stihl's professional saws but have never been fond of their midrange/consumer saws.

You'll also have better luck getting aftermarket parts for Stihl's professional saws. Go to Bailey's and you'll see tons of parts for professional saws. (ex: piston/cylinder kits for about $100). However you won't find much for consumer saws and will probably be stuck with dealer prices.

 

[COLD_IRON]

I had the same debate when I was shopping for saws, and it came down to the 310 and the 361. I went into the shop and I held both saws, and to me the 310 felt a touch heavy with a 25 inch bar. So I went with the 361 and haven't looked back.

The 310 is a good saw when its properly maintained. I talked to a firewood guy whose first saw was the 310. He cut hundreds of cords of wood with the saw before selling it and upgrading to a 440. Saw still ran great when he sold it.

 

[romeo]

"Mid range" means its almost the saw you wanted.
Some folks might argue this, but to me a cheap saw is a cheap saw regardless of what color the plastic is.

One more vote for the 361 here

 

[goof008]

If money is no object, get the 361, no doubt. If you're like me and on a budget, get the 390, unless you're a professional and will be using it a few times a week. If you're a homeowner and not making money with the saw, either will be a good purchase. If you go with the 390, get PPE with the savings from a 361.

 

[timberwolf]

390 is a not bad fire wood saw, if you go that route to save a few $$$ then what ever you do don't ever try a 361 or you will end up hating the 390 and yourself for buying it.

The 290,310, and 390 are all based on the same lower end just different jug, piston and stickers so I would say the 290 and 310 serve no purpose other than making sales for Stihl.

Just like the Stihl 650 and 660 or Husky 365 and 372 why buy a saw with less power for the same weight?

 

[davefr]

If you go with the 390, get PPE with the savings from a 361.

No, get PPE regardless of the saw you purchase.

 

[goof008]

agreed, that came out wrong.

 

[nikocker]

To qoute Timberwolf - "the 290 and 310 serve no purpose than making sales for Stihl."

Well that's probably good - because without the 290 and 310 there would be no Stihl. Just like Husky with the 455/460 Rancher et al. If Stihl and Husky had to survive on just pros buying 361s, 440s, and 372XPs etc. they'd go broke. There is a reason those midrange saws are their best sellers . . .They need the 100's of thousands of "homeowners" or "midrange" buyers to feed the pig.

It's just a numbers game.

It doesn't mean the saws are total crap however. They serve a purpose for a lot of chainsaw users.

Al

 

[bigjayfromwa]

Well the only thing i'm thinking is the guys on here that are recommending purchasing the 390 have never ran one... Or if they have that they have never ran a pro saw before and just dont know any better.
I sold Stihls for quite awhile (while injured from logging) and wouldnt recommend the 390 to anyone, unless the only thing they cared about was having a bigger saw for a cheap price. (kinda like the whole Bayliner theory, "most boat for the money")
The 390 has the exact same case and lower end as the 290 and the 310. The 390 has a different jug, piston and carb. So it will be a heavier than the 361 with less power and snap (torque).
And as far as the faster response and higher rpm that will make a world of difference in cutting. You will have a lot less fatigue using the 361, resulting in less chance of injury (majority of injuries happen when the operator is tired), Yes the saw will last a lot longer than the 390 because it has a much more durable case and built to be ran everyday vs. occasionally, and also if you decide that you want to sell it one day the resale will be much higher.

The 390 is known as a generic "big" saw, but i wouldnt go over a 24in bar with it. It doesnt have the snap off the line to get the chain moving and it doesnt hit as high of rpms to keeping it ripping through the wood...so you will have to have the saw wound out pretty good before you hit the log and it will bog much easier when used in something of decent diameter.

So all in all the 390 is a P.O.S. Dont waste your money on it, buy quality in the first place with the 361 and i promise you wont be disapointed.

****you can also buy a 390 run it for a couple of days, return it..then get the 361 and physically FEEL the difference, since Stihl has a no questions asked return policy for i believe either two weeks or 30days from purchase****

 

[sawinredneck]

390 is a not bad fire wood saw, if you go that route to save a few $$$ then what ever you do don't ever try a 361 or you will end up hating the 390 and yourself for buying it.

The 290,310, and 390 are all based on the same lower end just different jug, piston and stickers so I would say the 290 and 310 serve no purpose other than making sales for Stihl.

Just like the Stihl 650 and 660 or Husky 365 and 372 why buy a saw with less power for the same weight?

This is what happened to me!!!

The 390 really isn't a bad saw, I was torn between it and a440, I'd never even given the 361 the option! I bought a 390 and ran the heck out of it!!! Muffler mod and it ran better yet! Pulled a 25" in hardwood fine!! I was just as happy as a clam!! My other saw was a Husky 350 so it was a nice balance between the two.
WELL......... Found a Pro saw of the same basic displacement at a garage sale. It was lighter, faster, had TONS more power, and was a LOT more enjoyable to cut with!!!
BY BY 390!!!!!!!
I won't talk you out of a 390, like I said, it's not a bad saw, but you asked some very sensible and intelegent questions, so I will respond the same way:
Is the $100ish dollars worth a saw that will likely run twice as long?
Is the $100ish dollars worth having a saw that vibrates less and you enjoy running?
Which saw feels better to you? Which saw would you rather pick up and run all the time?
Answer those questions, and buy the saw you want!

 

[bcorradi]

Is the $100ish dollars worth a saw that will likely run twice as long?

How many hours do you think you can get out of a MS390? I'm not sure where people get the last twice as long thing from, but regardless, most people aren't going to burn up the life expectancy of an MS390 in his/her lifetime. Most of the rest of your questions are only pertinent if he uses the saw frequently.

I'm not sure you should be trying to help a person decide which saw they should buy. You have your own long "which saw should I buy" thread and you still can't decide .

 

[056kid]

Unless you run a saw EVERYDAY, chances are you don't need a "pro" saw. Running a saw 4 out of 7 days is not running it professionally therefore y would you need a professional chainsaw??
Lots of folks seem to think that a 6inch tree needs the 290 but the 12 inch tree needs the 361 and yet the 20 inch tree needs the 440 and still yet the 35 inch tree needs the 660. And they DON'T EVEN MAKE A LIVING WITH THEM!!!! I want that kind of dough!!
Consider the usage and determine from there.