I have a MS391 also with a 25" bar and I love it. One thing I did was went to using what I call full chisel chain or in stihl chain it's RS chain and that saw cuts anything like a hot knife through butter now. Also always remember your decompression valve is closed when starting it
A belated congrats on your new package and thanks for sharing! I'm sure your saw has seen a lot of wood by now. I recently went through a similar upgrade. I had used a 42cc Poulan Pro with an 18 inch bar for almost 4 years, whittling my way through big leaf maple, red alder, oregon ash, and some cherry. I knew my saw was undersized for the work I was doing but I kept chipping away at it as fast as I could make that little saw go, until it gave up on me a couple weeks ago. I thought about rebuilding it but really needed something bigger. So I replaced it with a Stihl MS362C-M with a 24 inch bar, and also bought a 28 inch bar for felling and bucking the big stuff. Both bars run 3/8 pitch .063 guage chain, and what a HUGE improvement. My ONLY regret is not making this jump 3 1/2 years ago. Nothing against my Poulan. It was a great little saw that served me well. But the new Stihl makes my work a whole lot of fun.
That’s pretty much the exact same thing I did. I started off with a Poulan and then made the switch to Stihl. Both power saws we’re good to me too. I think you made the right choice with your new purchase that’s the exact same way I would’ve done it.I am glad you are happy with your purchase it is good to hear! Thanks for stopping by the channel
Hi Karl, late to the party here. I find mine, MS 391 & 250 both need very little choke, 3 cord pulls then set to half throttle for a quick start. Stripped mine apart last night to replace drive side main bearing but think I should do a complete rebuild as there are signs of ware where you would not expect them or see them except when it's apart. The best thing about a longer bar is less frequent sharpening!
Good to know. Now that I’ve been using mine for a while I’m getting to know the saw and I have had no problems at all.I’m very pleased with the investment. Thanks for watching
Hi friend, i just got my new 391 last week and im planning to go for some firewoods this weekend. I noticed you said it was about freezing when you made this video so i hope you red in the manual that there is a black plastic piece on the right side of the carburator (on the side that the carburator adjusting holes are ) that you need to take out rotate it and slide it back in when its winter and below 10 degrees of celcious. This allows the hot air from the motor to get into the carburator compartment and heat the carburator. When its summer its very important to install it the other way upside down. It has a sign of winter and summer indication. If you dont place it corectly at summer you may end up frying the motor. So, In case you havent read the manual you really need to. Im very pleased with the comment you made about fuel economy. My 10 years old MucCulloch is a gas and bar oil disaster ! Also i got a Stihl helmet that professional climbing trees arborists using, it has build in plastic goggles instead of that mesh thingy that can slide under the helmet if you dont want to use them or pull them out and build in ear plugs not headphones. Good thing with those goggles is that they dont limit your vision at all like plastic mesh. Greetings from Greece.
Thank you so much for the information! I’ve been using it for a couple of years now and haven’t had any problems with it. I guess I have just been lucky but I will be sure to make the changes before this winter. Thanks for watching I appreciate your help
I didn't know that You have got it .But the hard cold start is because You must squeeze the trigger than You can push the little button down till bottom, then You pull it till it's barp once then get the button to the 3rd position(from top) then it will start like hell.It is on half trottle then You must tap the trigger and it automatically get to "I" position :) dont pull much on it while on Choke(full down the button) because it will overflood :D
*Thanks Karl for taking time/effort to make & publish this - it's a superb review of the 391. I about fell on my caboodle tho when you said you've got a grandkid on the way. You look wayyy too young - and I say that out of pure envy BTW! Thx again for great review.*
@@karlsoffthegrid1378 *I always enjoy Sundays, it's **_Mondays_** that I don't like!* ;) th-cam.com/video/8yteMugRAc0/w-d-xo.html *I need some sleepz, look forward to your next 391 vid. Are you from/in WI? I was born raised there 'til I went off to college*
@@johnlivingston4831 it’s definitely a young mans saw. if you’re not used to physical labor, it might be better to get something a little smaller. This has worked perfect for all the bigger trees that I cut down up at the cabin.
I very seldom have to sharpen the chain. On any chainsaw if you are having problems going through your chains there’s a couple of suggestions I would give you. Check your bar oil, most people don’t know there is a difference between summer and winter blend. Also make sure your oil ports are open to your bar. A lot of times they will get plugged with sawdust if you’re not careful. Good luck
If anyone says the 391 is smooth they have never operated chainsaws before, sorry. From day one this saw consistently shakes it self apart. I know three people with this saw and they all say the same.
A 391 it’s a little too big to be a smooth saw.,You may want to look for a smaller saw. You may want to check your gas to oil mix,maybe you are fouling out the spark plug. I’ve had mine for two years now, and it works like a charm, starts first pull every time. Good luck in your search
@@karlsoffthegrid1378 I bought it for a wood pile saw. 24 cord per year. I’ve never had these issues with a husky 266 commercial grade. My other stihls also have never had these issues. I’ve been cutting wood for 35 years. I’ve also noticed that the 391 tends to lack some power on the top end. This is on the three that I’ve used. Mine runs and runs so it’s not a complete loss. Just saying there might be some better choices. Thanks for reading and good luck.
I have a MS391 also with a 25" bar and I love it. One thing I did was went to using what I call full chisel chain or in stihl chain it's RS chain and that saw cuts anything like a hot knife through butter now. Also always remember your decompression valve is closed when starting it
Great to hear and thank you for the tips. I will definitely try the more aggressive chain
A belated congrats on your new package and thanks for sharing! I'm sure your saw has seen a lot of wood by now. I recently went through a similar upgrade. I had used a 42cc Poulan Pro with an 18 inch bar for almost 4 years, whittling my way through big leaf maple, red alder, oregon ash, and some cherry. I knew my saw was undersized for the work I was doing but I kept chipping away at it as fast as I could make that little saw go, until it gave up on me a couple weeks ago. I thought about rebuilding it but really needed something bigger. So I replaced it with a Stihl MS362C-M with a 24 inch bar, and also bought a 28 inch bar for felling and bucking the big stuff. Both bars run 3/8 pitch .063 guage chain, and what a HUGE improvement. My ONLY regret is not making this jump 3 1/2 years ago. Nothing against my Poulan. It was a great little saw that served me well. But the new Stihl makes my work a whole lot of fun.
That’s pretty much the exact same thing I did. I started off with a Poulan and then made the switch to Stihl. Both power saws we’re good to me too. I think you made the right choice with your new purchase that’s the exact same way I would’ve done it.I am glad you are happy with your purchase it is good to hear! Thanks for stopping by the channel
Got one off these saws today can't wait
You’ll love it! They are awesome saws
@@karlsoffthegrid1378 what's the mod for the exhaust
The muffler I mean different terminology in Scotland
Hi Karl, late to the party here. I find mine, MS 391 & 250 both need very little choke, 3 cord pulls then set to half throttle for a quick start. Stripped mine apart last night to replace drive side main bearing but think I should do a complete rebuild as there are signs of ware where you would not expect them or see them except when it's apart. The best thing about a longer bar is less frequent sharpening!
Good to know. Now that I’ve been using mine for a while I’m getting to know the saw and I have had no problems at all.I’m very pleased with the investment. Thanks for watching
Awesome video 👍 I just got a new MS391 with a 25 inch bar.didnt touch any wood yet
Shawn Welcomer You’re going to absolutely love it it’s a fun side. Thanks for the comment
Looking into getting this saw for our recently purchased farm in south central WI. Great video and happy to sub to a fellow Wisconsinite channel
Hi friend, i just got my new 391 last week and im planning to go for some firewoods this weekend. I noticed you said it was about freezing when you made this video so i hope you red in the manual that there is a black plastic piece on the right side of the carburator (on the side that the carburator adjusting holes are ) that you need to take out rotate it and slide it back in when its winter and below 10 degrees of celcious. This allows the hot air from the motor to get into the carburator compartment and heat the carburator. When its summer its very important to install it the other way upside down. It has a sign of winter and summer indication. If you dont place it corectly at summer you may end up frying the motor. So, In case you havent read the manual you really need to. Im very pleased with the comment you made about fuel economy. My 10 years old MucCulloch is a gas and bar oil disaster ! Also i got a Stihl helmet that professional climbing trees arborists using, it has build in plastic goggles instead of that mesh thingy that can slide under the helmet if you dont want to use them or pull them out and build in ear plugs not headphones. Good thing with those goggles is that they dont limit your vision at all like plastic mesh. Greetings from Greece.
Thank you so much for the information! I’ve been using it for a couple of years now and haven’t had any problems with it. I guess I have just been lucky but I will be sure to make the changes before this winter. Thanks for watching I appreciate your help
@@karlsoffthegrid1378 You are very welcome.
Being difficult on the cold start could be because it's cold outside and it's new. Both of those factors at the same time can suck.
J.T I think that’s exactly what it was. It’s worked great ever since then
I like Stihl saws, but they are very easy to flood out I never worry about that with my Husqvarna saw
Good to know thanks for sharing
I didn't know that You have got it .But the hard cold start is because You must squeeze the trigger than You can push the little button down till bottom, then You pull it till it's barp once then get the button to the 3rd position(from top) then it will start like hell.It is on half trottle then You must tap the trigger and it automatically get to "I" position :) dont pull much on it while on Choke(full down the button) because it will overflood :D
*Thanks Karl for taking time/effort to make & publish this - it's a superb review of the 391. I about fell on my caboodle tho when you said you've got a grandkid on the way. You look wayyy too young - and I say that out of pure envy BTW! Thx again for great review.*
TommyT thank you so much for the positive feedback! You definitely made my day. The video I am releasing Sunday I will be using the MS 391 again.
@@karlsoffthegrid1378 *Karl I look forward to it; I am this || close to plunging for a 391. Your keen review helped me know the saw a lot better.*
TommyT It’s a lot of fun to use and it has a ton of power. I think you will enjoy Sundays video
@@karlsoffthegrid1378 *I always enjoy Sundays, it's **_Mondays_** that I don't like!* ;)
th-cam.com/video/8yteMugRAc0/w-d-xo.html
*I need some sleepz, look forward to your next 391 vid. Are you from/in WI? I was born raised there 'til I went off to college*
It’s a great saw but do the muffler mod to it and it amazing just do to top and second groove they’ve the bottom two
Cant believe he is using the 391 just to cut stick wood. That saw is kind of heavy. I got one.
@@johnlivingston4831 it’s definitely a young mans saw. if you’re not used to physical labor, it might be better to get something a little smaller. This has worked perfect for all the bigger trees that I cut down up at the cabin.
Do you have to sharpen the chain very often?
Looks like a great saw, looking for a better saw. I have a Craftsman 18" and it's terrible 😂
I very seldom have to sharpen the chain. On any chainsaw if you are having problems going through your chains there’s a couple of suggestions I would give you. Check your bar oil, most people don’t know there is a difference between summer and winter blend. Also make sure your oil ports are open to your bar. A lot of times they will get plugged with sawdust if you’re not careful. Good luck
Wait! Pump the brakes there Karl! Let’s do some product testing at my place. Let’s see if that Stihl floods out on some good trees at my place. 🌲
My 391 is a bad oiler ,,I cleaned the holes on the bar,,I think I need to use lighter oil
What oil are you using?
Get the stihl bar oil in the blue jug it is winter bar oil and is thinner I use it all year round in my 391 and it works great
There is an adjustment screw on the bottom to allow more oil
If anyone says the 391 is smooth they have never operated chainsaws before, sorry. From day one this saw consistently shakes it self apart. I know three people with this saw and they all say the same.
A 391 it’s a little too big to be a smooth saw.,You may want to look for a smaller saw. You may want to check your gas to oil mix,maybe you are fouling out the spark plug. I’ve had mine for two years now, and it works like a charm, starts first pull every time. Good luck in your search
@@karlsoffthegrid1378 I bought it for a wood pile saw. 24 cord per year. I’ve never had these issues with a husky 266 commercial grade. My other stihls also have never had these issues. I’ve been cutting wood for 35 years. I’ve also noticed that the 391 tends to lack some power on the top end. This is on the three that I’ve used. Mine runs and runs so it’s not a complete loss. Just saying there might be some better choices. Thanks for reading and good luck.