anyone used a MS 381

[sarge3604]

its on the stihl Mexico website didnt know if anyone used one or tried to get one into the US

 

[hedge hog]

I have look at them and thought why do they have less power than a 441 and almost 2 cc more motor?

 

[windthrown]

I saw/ran one once. A guy was selling one that he brought up from Mexico. Torquey saw with older technology. They are way cheaper than the 440 or the 441 overseas, which is why they sell. A tad less power than a 440 and weighs a tad more, so I passed on it (though it would have been a good novelty saw). They are on the Argentine, Brazil, ZA, Oz, NZ and several other Stihl web sites. They are made in Brazil now (along with the 361). There are 381 Chicom knock offs out there as well, so be wary.

 

[sawfun]

It seemed to me that the ms381 was a direct replacement for the 038magll. And the 381 was the same saw but with spring AV. I had seen a picture of this. This would be just a bit less power than the 044 and the weight of a 460. These are less expensive pro saws. I would much rather have them than a 362, 390, or 391 for about the same I price.

 

[windthrown]

Problem is that they are only cheaper in areas where saws are way more expensive than the US. In Oz the 381 is $1,250 ADU, which is the same price as the 261 there. The 391 is $1,200 AUD. The 362 is $1,450 and the 441C-M is $1,750 AUD. With 10% GST tax and an exchange rate of $0.86 USD to $1.00 AUD, a 381 is $1,185 USD, plus any shipping here. A new 391 here is only $550, a 362 here is $750, and a 441C-M here is $960, plus sales tax which varies by state. No sale tax in Oregon where I live. So there is no way I would buy a 381 from overseas, and this is why I have shipped a lot of new US saws down under, especially when the AUD was 1.10 USD.