Pro's and Con's Stihl MS 290 vs. MS 310 ?

[Brian_B.]

My Stihl dealer has the MS 290 and MS 310 priced $20.00 apart.

I know that the 310 is set up for 3/8" chain.

Not much HP difference.  - .2kW ( .25 bhp)

Weight is exactly the same.  13.2 lbs.

They look and feel the same.  


Can you notice any real difference in the chain .325" vs. 3/8"?

I am unsure why I might pick one over the other.

[Bushwhacker]

Brian, I've never used either of these saws,but
with such little h.p. difference, iwould say the .325 chain would cut a little faster. If you like the .375, and you like the 290, the dealer should change it to a .375 for you. Good Luck

[Brian_B.]

Bushwhacker sorry I didn't say this before this will be my first saw.

I fondly remember helping my father cut wood as a teenager but it's been almost 15 years.  

I have no preferences on the kurf on the chain.

[Bushwhacker]

Brian, I don't know what size lwood you're going to cut or how hard wood it is, but if you're just getting back into cutting I'd suggest you look at the MS250. They have plenty power and are quite a bit lighter than a 290 or 310. I bought one to cut smaller stuff (I cut dry Mesquite) and use it a lot because it handles about anything  I like to cut for firewood. It won't have the power of the ones you mentioned but is adequate for a lot of cutting and seems to be a tough little saw. Just my opinion.
Good Luck.

[Brian_B.]

Brother - In Law has the MS 250. I guess I need to one up him! 8)

[ComputerUser]

I purchased a 290 for my first real, non-second hand saw.  The price was right and it was big enough for what I wanted to do at the time.  I have been very pleased with it in my non-commercial use.  The saw has enough grunt to get most jobs done.  It benefits tremendously from the use of full-chisel chain (think Stihl Rapid Super rather than Rapid Micro 2), and with a sharp full-chisel chain on it cuts really well in all but the hardest, gigantic stuff.  Mine wears a 20" bar and has been a pleasure to own.

At the end of the day the question will be one of what you intend to use the saw for and how much weight you're willing to swing around.  In hindsight I should have purchased a 440, but at the time I couldn't forsee any need for that much power or as large a bar as that saw can handle.  As it is, I can do most anything with the 290 that I need to do.  If I had purchased a 250 or something smaller, as another post suggested, I would probably have had to buy the 440 by now.  And since I only use my saws recreationally, I would have had to spend a lot more than the $300 my 290 cost me.  Just something to consider.

[Bushwhacker]

Computeruser,
I already had  MS460 before I bought the MS250. I use it for some small milling jobs. Point is, I use the 250 a lot because it's lighter and it will  handle a lot of my cutting needs. You're right, the 440 would fill both tickets and so would the 361, (JMO) but more money.

[magic]

I previously owned a MS 310 before I upgraded to a MS360 and then to a 066.  I was happy with the 310, it was a good dependable saw.  I ran a 20" bar on it with a 3/8 chain, it cut pretty good.  Overall, the saw was good, a little heavy but not bad.  If you want to run a 20" bar, I would say go with the 310 but if you want to run smaller then that, you should be ok with the 290.  I would say go with the 310 just because you  get a little more power for the weight.  Good luck on your decision.

[SasquatchMan]

I'd say go with the 310 as well.  They are the same saw inside and out, save that the 310 is bored a bit bigger (so it might actually be lighter!).  I have a 290 for firewood and construction, and it's been dead reliable over a year now.  It's a bit heavy, but really, I'd say it's been excellent value in a saw.  There's always a lighter, stronger, faster ... etc saw available, but a recreational cutter doesn't need to put the extra 200 bucks down.

I'd get a 310, but I think I'd ask for it to be set up for the .325 chain, and then you'll have a pretty powerful cutter.  

For what it's worth, you'll find these saws are much rougher in cut than the 270 280, so if plush anti-vibe is a factor for you, look at those saws.  

For a plain jane medium duty saw, I think the 310 is perfect.