Stihl MS311 VS MS391

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Feb 13, 2012

I'm looking to add another saw to my stable. I've got Husky 350 thats okay but I just don't get along with it real well. I don't log or anything like that but I do want a saw that will whip the snot out of a 20" bar and big chain. I cut a little firewood for the shops and trim up some trees so they don't beat the windows out of the cab. My biggest concern is storm damage clean up in a hurry. Getting the trees off the fence and it back up to keep the cattle on the right farm. I have several Stihl dealers close by, 6 within 50 miles, I do have some other brands nearby but they're not dealerships just buildings with signs out front. Any experience with any of these models? I know they are new on the market

HunterWare · Feb 14, 2012

I just got a 391 25" no-skip chain and it pulls the length nicely, even when fully buried. I have a 211 which I love, but a tree went down that was just too big around for the 16" bar and I needed to clear the path. The 391 handled the task easily and I'm really happy with the purchase. I do find it heavy enough that I'm glad I don't need to carry it all the time. But given that I don't use it every day and have the smaller saw, I'm even more happy to have saved hundreds off the comparable (but lighter) pro saws.

LD1 · Feb 14, 2012

It sounds like dealer support mean a good bit to you.

That said, I wont reccomend other brands that would probably be a little better "value" IMO. There are other makes that cost similar or less and arent as heavy and/or have more power. But I wont go into that given your dealer situation.

Either of them saws will do what you want. They both have the power to pull a 20" bar with authority. They are a bit on the heavy side for their size/power.

I think both of them are built on the same "platform" @ 14.1lbs. So that means to hold and look at them, you wont notice a difference. The 391 being 5cc bigger and 0.3HP more. If the 391 doesnt cost too much more than the 311, I'd go that route. But if it is like $100 more, I dont think it is worth it IMO.

I haven ran a 391, but the 310 (previous model of 311) was a pretty good runner. Just dont get the MS290. It is a popular saw, and a lot of people seem to like them, but I think it is really slow for its size/weight. I have ran the 290 and 310 side by side. And I think the 310 was only like $50 more, and with how they cut, it was well worth it. (some say this is because of the .325 chain but IDK)

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Feb 14, 2012

It's good to hear back from you guys. I'm not married to Stihl but to me lots of local dealers means lots of parts and service. We have a good bit of logging going on around here almost exclusively Stihl and Husky, it used to be Pioneer years ago. The old man here locally that had the Husky dealership lost it and is now Jonsered I think. I have two TSCs close by, good prices but no service. I might like a 455 Rancher or something along that line. My Uncle used to be a big Echo fan. I even have a little Homelite Super EZ under a bench somewhere. Dad used to have a couple old Poulans with the aluminum housings. I'm not ruling any brand out, I'm just starting to compare. Tell me your thoughts LD1.

LD1 · Feb 15, 2012

Soggy Bottom Outdoors said:
It's good to hear back from you guys. I'm not married to Stihl but to me lots of local dealers means lots of parts and service. We have a good bit of logging going on around here almost exclusively Stihl and Husky, it used to be Pioneer years ago. The old man here locally that had the Husky dealership lost it and is now Jonsered I think. I have two TSCs close by, good prices but no service. I might like a 455 Rancher or something along that line. My Uncle used to be a big Echo fan. I even have a little Homelite Super EZ under a bench somewhere. Dad used to have a couple old Poulans with the aluminum housings. I'm not ruling any brand out, I'm just starting to compare. Tell me your thoughts LD1.

Stay away from the TSC huskys, or any other box store for that matter. They are a low end plastic cased saw.

My thoughts, I am a dolmar guy. And I see you have a dealer. Brown's farm and lawn center on hwy 79 west of town:thumbsup:

There is the 5105. Good and light saw. Will pull a 20" pretty well. should be in the $450 range.

Next step is a 6400. IF you are lucky enough to get a 6400, should be in the $550 range. Not sure when/if but they are replacing the 6400/7300/7900 to a 20 series. ie: 6420. It is to meet new emissions and has a $100 price jump. I know they already did this to makitas. Baileys used to sell the 6401 (makita version of the 6400) for $499, then they came out with the 6421 and price went to 599:confused2:

The 6400 is more comparabe to the 361 stihl. Better quality and "pro grade" vs the 311 and 391. I am not sure what them cost, but that is probabally a factor too.

Echos are good as well if you have a dealer. I havent ran either, but hear good things of teh cs600 and cs670.

And if your husky dealer is now a jonsered dealer, look at them. Because jonsered and husqvarna are the same saws. Just like dolmar/makita.

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Feb 15, 2012

Thanks LD1 for your thoughts. I did look up the Dolmar 6400 and liked what I saw. (No pun intended) I was expecting to pay $550 or so for the ms391 and I might get a 6400 for that. The Husky 570 also got my interest up. The old guy I mentioned that had a Husky dealership and lost it is Browns Lawn and Garden. I thought he went Jonsered but it was Dolmar. Theres another Dolmar dealer locally Coles Farm Equipment. Two dealers within 10 miles. Sounds like I need to change my thread to say MS391 vs Dolmar 6400 vs Husky 570.

LD1 · Feb 15, 2012

Soggy Bottom Outdoors said:
Sounds like I need to change my thread to say MS391 vs Dolmar 6400 vs Husky 570.

Cant change the thread title, but you could always start a new one if you want.

As to those three saws, my pick would be
1. 6400
2. 570
3. 391

In that order.

A buddies dad has a 570. Pretty decient saw for a non XP. But I think it is a tad more $$$ than the 6400. But that all depends on how much the dealers in your area will deal.

I'd say go to that dolmar dealer. Either one. They probabally have a "test log" out back and a few saws to demo. Demo the 6400. I think you'll like it.

And since I am spending your money and not mine

........The 7900 dolmar is about the cats meow of a firewood saw. Same saw as the 6400, just a bigger jug and slug. But thats probabally overkill for what you are after.

But heck, I have MANY good running saws thats probabally overkill for only cutting 20-30 cord/year. But for me, buying and owning a chainsaw(s) isnt about what one needs, rather about what one wants:drink:

NIXON · Feb 15, 2012

LD1 said:
Cant change the thread title, but you could always start a new one if you want.

As to those three saws, my pick would be
1. 6400
2. 570
3. 391

In that order.

A buddies dad has a 570. Pretty decient saw for a non XP. But I think it is a tad more $$$ than the 6400. But that all depends on how much the dealers in your area will deal.

I'd say go to that dolmar dealer. Either one. They probabally have a "test log" out back and a few saws to demo. Demo the 6400. I think you'll like it.

And since I am spending your money and not mine........The 7900 dolmar is about the cats meow of a firewood saw. Same saw as the 6400, just a bigger jug and slug. But thats probabally overkill for what you are after.

But heck, I have MANY good running saws thats probabally overkill for only cutting 20-30 cord/year. But for me, buying and owning a chainsaw(s) isnt about what one needs, rather about what one wants:drink:

You seem to have a lot of knowledge of saws . Have You ever considered going to arborist site .com ?

LD1 · Feb 16, 2012

NIXON said:
You seem to have a lot of knowledge of saws . Have You ever considered going to arborist site .com ?

I have no use for that site at all.

I am sure there are some good people over there, but the few rotton eggs spoil it for me.

I am a member, but dont go there. God forbid you ask them guys a saw or wood related question and beat the "crap" outta ya cause you didnt search the old threads for hours.:confused2:

All them guys do is beg for "rep" and tell you to search.

This is a MUCH friendlier forum:thumbsup: