Stihl's current saws vs. one gen back - why so much more expensive???

[MikoDel]

The larger of my two saws is a (approx.) 15yr old Stihl MS310 w/a 20" bar. That saw don't owe me a damn thing. Most of the time it just sits anyway. I do mostly climbing and pruning. Bigger jobs I do less of. But it's got some hours on it, no doubt. I just had it serviced; it was running like a champ, cutting like new, and then all of a sudden losing power again, fuel pissing out... now it's looking like it might be time to upgrade/replace.

So I'm looking @ my choices for new. The MS310 has a displacement of 59cc, but more importantly the WEIGHT of the powerhead is 13 lbs. I'm getting older, and I'm a small guy, and lifting and twisting the 310 into crazy angles aloft, or when felling, limbing/bucking for extended times... I simply don't want anything much heavier.

Currently (listed on their site as current 2020 models) Stihl has two that are very close to the power and weight of my old MS310: MS362 and MS462. Actually the 462 is a nice step up in power for almost the exact same weight. But when I downloaded the PDF comparison chart (excerpt attached), I found another one, not on the site: MS391. And a dealer close to me has one (thank GOD) w/a 20" bar. Now I say THANK GOD cause the difference in price between the older 391 (64cc) vs. the 362 (59cc) is $600 and $770 respectively, so for almost $200 less you get a more powerful machine. The 462 (72cc) is a whopping $1,130!

I guess I'm posting this cause I'm interested in knowing if there's any REAL reason why I'd want to pay $170 more for Stihl's newest saw? And a less powerful one to boot. I may be quirky but I like older gen machines sometimes - less to go wrong, and maybe better built.

When I brought the 310 in for service (AGAIN) today I fired up the 391 and it feels very familiar... just right! (Has a compression release - nice! But I prolly won't use it all the time cause I'm so used to not having one.) The owner put a hold on the new 391 w/out a deposit until they can figure out what's wrong w/the 310. When I get that news I'll know what to do. If I can grab the 391 and sell the repaired 310 for say $200, that's not a lot to ask for years of service. Maybe they'll find it's an easy fix and get it back to running great quickly, for a minimal charge. (Ha ha, look for it on Treebuzz's TreeBay)

 

[Jonny]

Different grade saws though. The 362 and 462 are professional grade saws, the 310 is a farm & ranch saw which is pretty much a homeowner grade saw with more displacement.
Even though the CCs are close on the 362 and 310, the differences in features and construction are vast.
I had a 391, was happy to sell it and keep my 362. Not a terrible machine, but kinda lame. Strongly recommend the 362, the antivibe, throttle response and overall performance are excellent.

I’m a fan of the older saws too. I frikkin LOVE my 026 and 034. Shop for a used one from a reputable seller on OPE or even EBay. People get duds occasionally but so far I’ve done well on eBay. Little gamble still I suppose.

 

[Reach]

What Johnny said. The 391 and 362 are two very different saws, the Professional series Stihl saws are built differently; they have better anti vibration, and they will run far more hours before they’re worn out. The 362 is an excellent saw, by the way. We have several, all pulling RSK chain on a 20” bar. It’s our standard limbing saw on the ground, and it’s the standard saw for a climber working with the crane. If I could own only one saw, it would be the Stihl MS362.

 

[evo]

Apples and oranges. Nuttin wrong with ‘ranch’ grade saws, but overall they are heavier, more plastics, and less repairable.
Don’t forget you are also looking at m-tronic with and of the models ending in 2 (there are a few others too such as 261, 201 which are m-tronic). You might be able to find a 461 which is a little heavier than a 462, fair amount of cc gain and a little lower in price.

 

[MikoDel]

Different grade saws though. The 362 and 462 are professional grade saws, the 310 is a farm & ranch saw which is pretty much a homeowner grade saw with more displacement.
Even though the CCs are close on the 362 and 310, the differences in features and construction are vast.
I had a 391, was happy to sell it and keep my 362. Not a terrible machine, but kinda lame. Strongly recommend the 362, the antivibe, throttle response and overall performance are excellent.

I’m a fan of the older saws too. I frikkin LOVE my 026 and 034. Shop for a used one from a reputable seller on OPE or even EBay. People get duds occasionally but so far I’ve done well on eBay. Little gamble still I suppose.

After I posted I noticed on the PDF screen cap - 462 is in the PRO category. But 362 is not. But I get your gist

 

[MikoDel]

I appreciate your input, people. I haven't made any purchase yet, and hearing such good things about M-Tronic and the pro grade saws in general, has me warming to the newer technology. I hate to be a "doubting Thomas", but when tree pros say something is good, I put more faith in it than what Stihl says. And I shouldn't be like that, cause I love their products. I'm glad that, at least w/Stihl products, you do get what you pay for. I also like the idea of a wraparound handle, which isn't available on a 391. But since I am leaving some of the big jobs to you 'young guns' (wherever you are) these days, the 391 might be fine for me.

 

[Reach]

After I posted I noticed on the PDF screen cap - 462 is in the PRO category. But 362 is not. But I get your gist

The 362 is definitely listed in the Pro category on Stihl’s website: https://m.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/

 

[MikoDel]

Different grade saws though. The 362 and 462 are professional grade saws, the 310 is a farm & ranch saw which is pretty much a homeowner grade saw with more displacement.
Even though the CCs are close on the 362 and 310, the differences in features and construction are vast.
I had a 391, was happy to sell it and keep my 362. Not a terrible machine, but kinda lame. Strongly recommend the 362, the antivibe, throttle response and overall performance are excellent.

I’m a fan of the older saws too. I frikkin LOVE my 026 and 034. Shop for a used one from a reputable seller on OPE or even EBay. People get duds occasionally but so far I’ve done well on eBay. Little gamble still I suppose.

I don't think I'd buy a used saw ever, other than from a friend. Cause people are paying me to show up and work. There's too much that you don't find out until the things are under 'duress', LOL. For instance, I sold a 019T on Craig's, that started fine, but when it got hot, it lost some power due to a (this is gonna B sketchy) 'some kinda crack or fracture in the throttlebody' or something that the shop told me could not B repaired. But I TOLD the guy, 'look, when this thing gets hot, yer gonna have to play w/the throttle to keep it from stalling.' And he was OK w/that cause he wasn't gonna do any real heavy use. But how many folks R gonna B straight w/you when they're selling you something?

 

[Jonny]

Sure, be cautious and you probably won’t let yourself down. Sellers that get specific in their descriptions, take pictures of any wear or damage, show pics of a compression gauge reading, and have thousands of pieces of positive feedback are trustworthy enough for me though, and the guys on OPE don’t last long if they build a poor reputation.
I’ve done well with my eBay saws, but there’s tons of folks that would rather just buy new and eliminate any risk. All good

 

[Jehinten]

I bought a 391 about 12 years ago for firewood and then moved into doing tree work. I still use the saw although I am looking to replace it. I'm actually going down in CCs with my replacement as I want a lighter saw for when I'm climbing. It'll be replaced with a modded 261

That said the 391 has seen some wear and tear over the years. Broken plastic due to bring dropped and run over with a truck. The biggest issue today with it is a crack in the gas tank and a bent linkage on the carburetor. It takes about 15 pulls the first start of the day, then its a 1 pull start the rest of the day and still strong in the cut. Had it remained a firewood saw I'd likely never have had a complaint about the saw and would still be bragging about it today.

 

[Basswood]

Don’t discount the 261. I find that saw to be a light and very capable saw. Used that and a 391 on a felling job for the city. Big ailanthus. Obviously loved the power of the 391 but hiking in the equipment and carrying a saw over tougher terrain I definitely appreciated the 261 a lot and became my choice saw.

 

[Woodwork]

If you can find a decent used 361, that's also a heck of a saw. I love mine and would not part with it...in fact, I bought a full Chinese parts kit so I can build a spare in my spare time, LOL. (Plan to use OEM bearings, chain tensioner and brake parts, though...)

 

[MikoDel]

Thank you all so much for taking time and weighing in. I purchased the MS391, 20" bar. The dealer had it in stock, he's only 10 mins away, and it's almost $200 cheaper than the MS462. The anti-vibe is HELLA improved over my MS310, with springs and cables and what-not. I'm happy with it. Weight feels the same as my MS310, which was my main criteria. Compression release is... welcome.

Pulled a hollow silver over today... 1st time I used it. It's a good saw.

 

[evo]

Thank you all so much for taking time and weighing in. I purchased the MS391, 20" bar. The dealer had it in stock, he's only 10 mins away, and it's almost $200 cheaper than the MS462. The anti-vibe is HELLA improved over my MS310, with springs and cables and what-not. I'm happy with it. Weight feels the same as my MS310, which was my main criteria. Compression release is... welcome.

Pulled a hollow silver over today... 1st time I used it. It's a good saw.

If two hundred was the price difference I would have jumped on the 462