Ms390?

[subhunter]

I am very seriously considering going and buying a new ms390 tomorrow.. I own a 029 super and am wanting more power than the 029,which with the muffler mod does pretty good with the 18" bar.

Any thoughts? I had a 455 rancher but after many problems and only owning it a couple months I took it back and the dealer gave me my money back.
I only use my saws for firewood bucking. :newbie:

 

[blsnelling]

Go buy a Husky 359.

 

[mirkaba]

Howdy....I am a newcomer here. I recently bought an ms390 with a 20" bar. I have owned maybe a dozen Stihls over the years the last being a 44 Magnum. I have a friend who has been talking his 390 up all the time it has a 25" bar. After a couple days of running I thought it was an OK running small saw. I didn't think it would handle a25 inch bar very well though. After a week the saw broke in and "Holy cow" What a great saw!!! I think it is the best "small" saw I have ever run. ...........................Bob

 

[subhunter]

OK? what is the true difference between that one and the 455? I have a 350 already. The 455 rancher couldnt even begin to compare to my 12 year old 350.

 

[SAW4FUN]

My firewood partner has that saw, he has only had for about 6 mo, but has had no probs. It cuts pretty good with a 20" bar, but is no comparison to my 372xp. It is pretty heavy for its power. If a 372xp is out of your buget (if possible to still get one) I would probably agree with Brad on the 359, just get rid of the cat muffler for sure.

 

[pinesfarm]

last winter when my 455 rancher was brand new i put it up to my buddy's ms390 he got just a few weeks later and ive used his also i would not recommend it. the husky has more of a grunt to it and it defiantly put that stihl im place both saws were sharp to when used . i would recommend the 455 for the best bang for your buck why pay close to 500 bucks for a 390 and instead pay 380 some places for the 455 and i believe their is only a 5 or so cc difference between the two saws i may be mistaken.

 

[subhunter]

The 455 I believe was a 55 or 57 cc saw. The 390 is a 64cc saw. I just got rid of a 2 month old 455 RANCHER that I thought was junk the first time I used it. I just got my $467 back from that rancher because I told the dealer it was junk and they had already "tried" to fix it , twice. The thing would never get up to full power, always kept stuttering until it would shut down. Had strong comp and good gas,plug. I dont know what was wrong with that saw.

 

[willis09r]

Buy the 361 instead and be done!

Just don't go out to dinner a time or two to justify the difference. Then
you won't have to wonder or have whatfs, should'ves, could'ves.

 

[subhunter]

PLEASE do explain willis09r ? the 361 is a bit smaller. I dont fully understand what would make that a better choice for a hundred and a half more

 

[GASoline71]

LMAO... it's not smaller...

Gary

 

[Echo6 Sierra]

The 361 isn't in production anymore, it was replaced by the 362. You may still be able to find some floating around out there.

The motors are the same power but you're paying for the perks of a pro saw vs a mid range saw. The pro saws will still be going strong long after you wear out a 390.

The pro saws are easier to fix if you were to have a hiccup while cutting vs having to stop and take it to the shop. They are also more mod friendly.

I was looking at a 390 but after talking to a few pros they suggested the 361.
I went with that and am glad I did. I'm not a pro but I've always bought the best equiptment I could afford and have never been disappointed.

It only hurts when you pay....

 

[hardy steve]

I'm kinda in same boat.I can get a 1 1/2 old 390 for 300.00 or a 034 that is about 8yrs I'm guessing ,but runs good and eats wood up for 275.00 with a hard case and 1 extra new chain

 

[blackdiesel]

359's are trash. least the one i had was anyways. Just another homeowner grade saw to break down. bought a 361 and have ran it hard. only regret is should have went with the 460...

 

[subhunter]

Now that I keep looking I have found a decent looking 044 I may look into. guy wants 400 for it? sound about fair?

 

[nmurph]

last winter when my 455 rancher was brand new i put it up to my buddy's ms390 he got just a few weeks later and ive used his also i would not recommend it. the husky has more of a grunt to it and it defiantly put that stihl im place both saws were sharp to when used . i would recommend the 455 for the best bang for your buck why pay close to 500 bucks for a 390 and instead pay 380 some places for the 455 and i believe their is only a 5 or so cc difference between the two saws i may be mistaken.

sorry, but i don't think that a saw that is rated at .8hp more would be put in it's place by a lesser saw. i have a 310 and a 359. they are pretty much neck and neck in the cut, though the 359 is better handling.

 

[nmurph]

359's are trash. least the one i had was anyways. Just another homeowner grade saw to break down. bought a 361 and have ran it hard. only regret is should have went with the 460...

i believe that the 359's were in the pro line up a not many years ago.


i don't think anyone has substantiated the claim that a pro saw is more durable than the mid-range saws such as the 290 series or the 359. easier to repair and mod; yes. but there are many 290 series that a beat on day after day by tree services and utility crews and just keep running.

 

[subhunter]

I am definitely wanting to spend less than 600 bucks. AND I am pretty certain I want another stihl

 

[bytehoven]

PLEASE do explain willis09r ? the 361 is a bit smaller. I dont fully understand what would make that a better choice for a hundred and a half more

Although the 361 is almost a pound lighter, it offers better power, as a more reliable construction.

Is the 361 worth almost twice as much as the 390 or any other 60cc homeowner saw? Tough call.

If power is your main goal, I agree moving up to a 70cc saw might make you happier, if the extra weight does not matter.

Happy shopping

 

[subhunter]

Yea I have a 029 and it is 6 or 7 years old now and still strong as ever. I cut at least 50 rick of wood a year for myself and to sell for extra cash. I have the 029, a husky 350 ( 12 year old), a poulan that I use as my backup and a old mccollough. I need a bigger saw that I can use to buck the bigger trees up.

 

[bytehoven]

Check out this deal. 372XP $550 + small shipping fee on a near new saw.

http://www.arboristsite.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3860&cat=6

This would be a fun addition.