A 372 will run a 24"-28" bar with skip chain. I have a 395, it is a killer saw, I love it for big trees or big firewood, but 95% of the time I use my 2171 (same as a 372) 'cause its easy to handle. You found the 395 heavy, I can use a 395 all day but I have been running saw for 20 years. You are not production logging, don't make it too hard on yourself.
Clearance,just the other day you stated that you would never own a 575XP because its heavier and has the same power as a 372.
Freakingstang disputed that in the same thread.
Now you say that you need a skip chain to run a 24"-28" bar on a 372.
Uwharrie, just stated that he would stop at a 20" bar on a 372.
Now take it with a grain of salt because I haven't run a 372, but I do own a 05 model 575XP that I run almost all the time with a 28" bar with full comp in tough ole twisted up white oak. In fact I also have a 20" bar for it and to be honest, I think it pulls the 28" just as well.
So maybe Freakingstang is right about the grunt the 575 has over the 372.
Husqvarna also list the 372 useing up to a 28" bar and the 575 up to a 32". I think I belive Husqvarna.
I bought it to cut up an almost 200 year old white oak that was about 52" across the base. I'm still impressed with this 575XP, it's powerfull, it starts good, and is as smooth as you could ask for.
I wish someone close by had a 372 that I could compare it with. I do know that the 24" MS 440 that a friend brought over to help do the big Oak didnt have anything on the 575.
If you can run the 395 all day the pound and a half extra the 575 has on the 372 shouldnt bother you at all.
Just stating my own findings, since I own a 575 and most people posting opinions on them seem to have never seen one, let alone run one.