stihl MS361 or MS381

[luckydave]

Hi,
This is my second or third time here, I'm using this site to research the correct chainsaw for my usage. Already thinking about what I can mod when I get my saw. It seems I'm addicted already!
I'm from Australia so some of the prices may seem a fair way off.
I need a saw to cut firewood for my father and I. First of I thought a MS390 would do (retail here for $1149) but then investigated here and was told that a MS361 (retail for $1399) would be a better saw. I also agree with this after reading a fair bit on here. After visiting a couple of local stihl dealers I spotted a MS381 (retail for $1249) which is a follow on of the old 038 magnum (so one dealer told me??). So the decision I now have is between the 361 or the 381. Just to make the comparison easier below are the saw specs.
MS 361..........................................MS 381
3.4kW power..................................3.9 kW power
5.6 kg dry......................................6.6 kg dry
59.0 cc.........................................72.2cc
20 inch bar....................................20 inch bar
$1399 retail...................................$1249 retail
real price $1245 minus.....................real price $1125
stihl $100 cashback........................no cashback
$1145......................................$1125

I will be cutting hardwoods mainly of 12 inches or less, sometimes up to 18 to 20 inches, although the majority will be 12 inches or less.
Oh by the way the real price for the MS390 is $999.
I think the 381 is a lower revving engine than the 361.
I did check out a MS 460 (same weight as the 381 and 4.4kW but cost $1749) and its probably out of my budget.
OK any advice?
Buy the way I love this site.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts and your help.
Dave.

 

[Work Saw Collector]

The 361 will cut everything you will be cutting, we can't get the 381 in the us. I would get the 381 only because I don't have it and have the 361, if I didn't have a 361 I would get it.

 

[SawTroll]

The dealer is right that the 381 is an updated/uprated 038 Mag, but it still is a old and heavy design.

For the described wood, I suggest a 361 with an 18" bar!

 

[SteveH]

For what you're cutting, a 60 cc saw is perfect, and for 60 cc saws the 361 is a great choice, as you have read. The 381 is older technology, will work fine, but you really don't need it and if you are going to be using [at first anyway] one saw, get the 361. You won't regret the choice. You do not need the additional power and weight of the larger saw.

 

[blsnelling]

361 with a 20" bar. You don't need a 381 for the wood your cutting. The 361 is considerably lighter, significantly faster, better AV, and should have MUCH better fuel consumption.

 

[tdi-rick]

Dave, where abouts in Oz ?

The old 038 Mag/381 is still revered as a tough as nails firewood saw here, but apparently can be hard to start towards the end of a day of tough cutting, and once you use one of the newer saws like the 361 with the better AV etc, you wont want to use the older designs for too long, as the fella's above have said.

FWIW, if you have a full line Makita dealer nearby, have a look at their range of saws, made by Dolmar.
They are doing deals ATM, one dealer in Sydney is offering the DCS7901 (79cc, 4.8kw) for $991 including GST, 7301 (73cc, 4.2kw) for $901 and the 6401 (64cc, 3.5kw) for $745.
While the 6401 is heavier than the MS361 (claimed 6.3kg, it's the same saw as the two larger ones, just a different piston/barrel) it's tough as nails, has a little more grunt and pulls a 20" bar easily in anything you've mentioned and it's AV is excellent.
It may bog a little when plunged all the way into something like an ancient big Yellow Box, but I dropped and cut up an old dead Red Gum a few weeks back 27" across running full chisel chain and it went through it easily.

 

[luckydave]

Hi,
Thanks for all your information guys, I thought the 361 would fit perfectly but I just thought I'd ask.
I live in western victoria an a small country town called Nhill, half way between Melbourne and Adelaide.
Oh by the way we don't have a Makita dealer anywhere that I know of.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[Evan]

id recomend the 260 or heck the 025 450 for this sorta cutting maybe even throw in the 270 to save a buck

 

[woodyman]

id recomend the 260 or heck the 025 450 for this sorta cutting maybe even throw in the 270 to save a buck

:agree2:If just about all your wood is 12" or less why not go with a lighter saw.Maybe a NE346XP(I know SawTroll will like that one) or MS260.

 

[stihlboy]

260.....hmm sounds good to me

 

[PB]

Alright, I am not a Stihl guy by any means but a 72cc saw is cheaper than the 60cc saw...............Get the larger saw!!

The HP (kw) ratings don't tell the entire story, and saws shouldn't be bought based upon paper figures. Get the 381, so what if it is an older design it has 12cc on the 361 and more power. When you do get into the occasional bigger wood you will be happy with more displacement.


There's no replacement for displacement!!

 

[BarkBuster20]

hm if it were me id have a 026 with a 16inch b&c. 361 appears to be a considerably good saw to though. and i wasnt aware they made 381 anymore but thats cool... may be worth getting any of the mentioned saws. but honestly for your needs get yourself a sweet ms260 pro

 

[Saw Dr.]

Alright, I am not a Stihl guy by any means but a 72cc saw is cheaper than the 60cc saw...............Get the larger saw!!

The HP (kw) ratings don't tell the entire story, and saws shouldn't be bought based upon paper figures. Get the 381, so what if it is an older design it has 12cc on the 361 and more power. When you do get into the occasional bigger wood you will be happy with more displacement.


There's no replacement for displacement!!

+1

Just put my 038 back together today. Plenty of smiles per gallon on that one.

 

[luckydave]

Thanks for all your input.
Just to clarify a point about the MS381, a dealer told me its a slower revving machine and will be slower in the cut (in smaller timber, foot diameter) than a MS361. So it may be better in larger timber but not in the wood I'm going to be cutting. Does this seem like a valid arguement for getting the 361 instead of the 381?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Probably should be getting a MS260 and a MS460 but my budget will not allow this!!

 

[BarkBuster20]

Thanks for all your input.
Just to clarify a point about the MS381, a dealer told me its a slower revving machine and will be slower in the cut (in smaller timber, foot diameter) than a MS361. So it may be better in larger timber but not in the wood I'm going to be cutting. Does this seem like a valid arguement for getting the 361 instead of the 381?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Probably should be getting a MS260 and a MS460 but my budget will not allow this!!

you can gain speed with the 381 with a 8 pin sprocket.

 

[SawTroll]

Thanks for all your input.
Just to clarify a point about the MS381, a dealer told me its a slower revving machine and will be slower in the cut (in smaller timber, foot diameter) than a MS361. So it may be better in larger timber but not in the wood I'm going to be cutting. Does this seem like a valid arguement for getting the 361 instead of the 381?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Probably should be getting a MS260 and a MS460 but my budget will not allow this!!

Sure it is valid, as it is the truth!


It sounds like you can trust that dealer!

 

[tdi-rick]

Dave, also remember our wood is on average a lot tougher, dirtier and harder than anything cut anywhere except South America and South Africa.
Example, Black Locust is considered a tough, hard, dusty timber in NA, it's actually softer than almost all our hardwoods, with trees like Ironbark being more than twice as hard and our Cypress Pine, a softwood is only a little softer.

IMO a 260 is only a limbing saw, I wouldn't consider it if you can swing for the 361, it will do what you intend to cut much more easily, and I'm guessing the 381 will outcut the 361 in 18-20" Box and Gum pretty emphatically.

As you say, if money was no object, a two saw plan would be better but if restricted to one saw, a 260 is too small IMO.
It'll do it, and lets face it, plenty of people cut firewood with saws smaller again, but it's so much nicer when you have the right tool for the job.

 

[AUSSIE1]

Dave, have you considered a good used saw?
It might broaden what's avail. for your budget.
I agree with the larger saw theory.
A saw in the 70cc plus size is still agile and capable to cope with our hardwood.
No need to avoid a brand with no local dealer. You can order parts online.

 

[wigglesworth]

Im sorry, I know the 361 can cure hemorrhoids and acne, but you bet your butt I would be walking out of that store with a new 381. I ran several tanks thru my 038 mag last Saturday, pretty much the first time I really got to run it, and im sold. If I could buy a new one, I would. And a big ol second for "there is no replacement for displacement".

 

[SawTroll]

.... "there is no replacement for displacement".

There often is, like a Turbo on a car engine - and in this case there sure is (not a turbo, but a difference) - but it depends on the wood........