STIHL MS 400.1

[whodatschrome]

Does anyone know if the MS 400.1 VW Arctic version has a heated full wrap handle or just a standard half wrap? The Arctic weighs an additional .3 kilo (.66 pounds), and that seems about how much more a full wrap handle might add to the weight of standard wrap saw?

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Dont know if this guy is here but from FB thread.

Clayton
I have ran the 400.1 for several months and it’s impressive for its size and weight. It has more torque and you can feel it. In testing they wanted us to stress it and find weaknesses so I ran a 32” bar on it for several hours of use and it did okay.

 

[whodatschrome]

I stopped in at my local saw shop last friday and asked the gal behind the counter about the new upcoming MS 400.1. She didn’t know anything about it, but there was a random guy hang out in the repair side of the shop. He overheard our conversation and said, “are you asking about the new 400.1?” Yes, i replied. He told me that Stihl is hoping to release the saw sometime in the first quarter (jan~march). I asked him who he was, and he said that he works for stihl! He just happened to be at this particular saw shop that day. I did ask him about the availability of heated handles in the US and it’s a no go.

I don’t know just how accurate that release date it, but that’s what i was told.

 

[huskihl]

I stopped in at my local saw shop last friday and asked the gal behind the counter about the new upcoming MS 400.1. She didn’t know anything about it, but there was a random guy hang out in the repair side of the shop. He overheard our conversation and said, “are you asking about the new 400.1?” Yes, i replied. He told me that Stihl is hoping to release the saw sometime in the first quarter (jan~march). I asked him who he was, and he said that he works for stihl! He just happened to be at this particular saw shop that day. I did ask him about the availability of heated handles in the US and it’s a no go.

I don’t know just how accurate that release date it, but that’s what i was told.

Tentative release date in Europe is March 2025. Could be fourth quarter or even 26 before we see it in the US

 

[whodatschrome]

Tentative release date in Europe is March 2025. Could be fourth quarter or even 26 before we see it in the US

That wouldn’t surprise me one bit, but that’s what the guy told me. That would mean that this would all have to transpire within the next 3 months. I would also think that’s isn’t going to be enough time for the local stihl dealers to sell the rest of their 362 and 400 saws that they have in inventory. and not just the dealers, but the regional distribution as well. I don’t think they would want all three models of saws on the shelf at the same time?

I’m definitely taking everything that the stihl rep told me with a grain of salt and i’m not getting my hopes up whatsoever of the 400.1 arriving even by late summer. I currently have a carbed 362R (wrap handle package). i was initially planning on buying a standard 400 and swap over all of my 362 wrap kit bits to the 400 (wrap handle, HO oiler, chain cover, 2 dogs), then sell my once a 362 R as a standard 362. But this new 400.1 has me intrigued.


EDIT: i just downloaded the US 2025 Stihl Catalog. The 362 and 400 are still both for sale in the US. So maybe stihl is going to wait until 2026 to release the 400.1?

One interesting note is that in the catalog it says that the (original) 400 is now available with a wrap handle 400 RC-M for 2025. I don’t know if that’s a typo or not, but it would be a very welcome addition if it does.
https://cdnassets.stihlusa.com/1733...kZEZzk3bW9PWldxem1PMzdZeFFEemtvWmU1QSUzRCUzRA..

 

[PV Hiker]

EDIT: i just downloaded the US 2025 Stihl Catalog. The 362 and 400 are still both for sale in the US. So maybe stihl is going to wait until 2026 to release the 400.1?

One interesting note is that in the catalog it says that the (original) 400 is now available with a wrap handle 400 RC-M for 2025. I don’t know if that’s a typo or not, but it would be a very welcome addition if it does.
https://cdnassets.stihlusa.com/1733...kZEZzk3bW9PWldxem1PMzdZeFFEemtvWmU1QSUzRCUzRA..

As a note, in the past there were postings that users of the 400 was using the 362 wrap handle on their 400.

 

[whodatschrome]

As a note, in the past there were postings that users of the 400 was using the 362 wrap handle on their 400.

Yup, i read that, and if i were to buy the current 400, i would just swap all of my wrap handle bits and pieces that are currently on my 362R onto a 400. But if stihl ends up selling the current model 400 with a wrap handle option, it would sure cost a lot less than piecemealing all the parts to make it happen.

If It’s not a typo in the 2025 catalog, and stihl is going to start producing a 400 wrap handle version, perhaps it’s their plan to increase possible 400 sales (as well as using up extra wrap handle inventory) on their outgoing (400) saw? I’m completely speculating of course.

 

[GMB74]

How long did they lead us on, pushing out the release date for the 500i in the US?...........

 

[huskihl]

Yup, i read that, and if i were to buy the current 400, i would just swap all of my wrap handle bits and pieces that are currently on my 362R onto a 400. But if stihl ends up selling the current model 400 with a wrap handle option, it would sure cost a lot less than piecemealing all the parts to make it happen.

If It’s not a typo in the 2025 catalog, and stihl is going to start producing a 400 wrap handle version, perhaps it’s their plan to increase possible 400 sales (as well as using up extra wrap handle inventory) on their outgoing (400) saw? I’m completely speculating of course.

This is a guess at best. They may have redesigned the handle along with the rest of the saw and maybe the 362 wrap kit will no longer fit the 400.1. Or just as likely, since they are getting rid of the 362, they need to offer a current model with a wrap handle so they are offering the 400.1 R

 

[bwalker]

This is a guess at best. They may have redesigned the handle along with the rest of the saw and maybe the 362 wrap kit will no longer fit the 400.1. Or just as likely, since they are getting rid of the 362, they need to offer a current model with a wrap handle so they are offering the 400.1 R

The clutch side mounting points look different on the 400.1 vs the 362/400. At least to my eyes.

 

[whodatschrome]

The clutch side mounting points look different on the 400.1 vs the 362/400. At least to my eyes.

My eyes agree with your eyes.

 

[whodatschrome]

Tentative release date in Europe is March 2025. Could be fourth quarter or even 26 before we see it in the US

KTM motorcycles does the same thing. The Europeans get the new model dirtbikes a year sooner than the US.