Shopping for a 25-inch chainsaw isn’t something most homeowners do every day. When you reach for a saw with a bar this big, you want real power, serious build quality, and features that make tough jobs easier and safer. STIHL’s lineup gives you two standout options: the  MS 391  and the  MS 362 . While both are capable machines, they’re built for different users and needs. If you’re asking yourself which one is the best fit—or if the price jump to the higher-end MS 362 is really worth it—keep reading. We’ll break down the differences, specs, features, and test results so you can pick the right saw and never look back.

Once you move up to a 25-inch bar, you need horsepower to match. Not every chainsaw can handle a bar this length—the engine has to be big enough, or you’ll end up fighting the saw every step of the way.

The two main contenders from STIHL are the MS 391 and the MS 362 . On paper, their engine sizes look close, and they’re both popular choices in shops across the country. But beneath the surface, there are real differences—especially when you put them in your hands and start cutting.

The  MS 391  is sold as a “farm and ranch” saw, but in reality, it’s the largest homeowner saw STIHL makes. It’s designed for the weekend warrior who needs to cut a lot of firewood, clear fallen trees, or take down medium oaks on the back 40.

Now meet the  MS 362 . This saw is considered an “entry-level” commercial model, but don’t let that fool you. It's beefier, heavier, and built to handle daily pro use. Think professional arborists, tree crews, or anyone who needs to use a chainsaw for hours, not just minutes.

Here’s where decisions get real. At Main Street Mower, the MS 391 checks out at about $739 , while the MS 362 rings up at $949 . That’s a $210 difference.

So what do you get for that extra $210? Is it smarter to save the cash or step up to pro-grade performance? The answer comes down to what you demand from a saw—lighter weight, tougher build, faster cuts, or just good old dependability.

• Shop the MS 362 Chainsaw (25-inch bar)
• Explore the MS 362 C-M with M-Tronic system
• Look up the MS 391 Chainsaw 

How much power are you really getting underneath the hood? These numbers do most of the talking.

• MS 391 is a 64.1 cc saw, cranking out 4.4 horsepower .
• MS 362 lands in the same cc range, but takes things up a notch with a 5.6 horsepower engine and a more robust build.

• MS 391: 12.3 lbs
• MS 362: 13.67 lbs

A pound and a half might not sound like much on a spec sheet. But hold a saw up for an afternoon, and you’ll feel the difference. Getting through a few cords of wood or wrestling through a big felling job, fatigue adds up fast.

Throw on a working bar and chain, and the real numbers look like this:

• MS 391 with a 20-inch bar: Approx 16.91 lbs
• MS 362 with a 20-inch bar: Approx 15.59 lbs

The MS 362, despite its heavier build, ends up being lighter once geared up due to better design and materials. If you swing a saw for a living, a few ounces shaved off here and there matter.

The sharpest edges of performance usually hide in the details—what you can feel but might not see at a glance.

• MS 391: Built on a sturdy but plastic (polymer) shell. It’s lighter and costs less, but doesn’t shrug off hard hits or years of heat like metal can.
• MS 362: Constructed from magnesium and aluminum alloy. This blend is tough, handles heat well, and soaks up hard use much better over time.

• MS 391: Has a standard steel muffler. It works, but won’t last as long in tough conditions.
• MS 362: Uses a passivated stainless steel muffler. It holds up to high temps and corrosion, meaning you’ll rarely need to worry about replacements.

• MS 391: Plastic sprocket cover, with bar nuts that fully remove. Lose one while working in the woods, and you’re out of luck.
• MS 362: Metal sprocket cover, with retained bar nuts that stay attached. You’re not searching through the brush if you drop one.

• MS 391: Standard pull rope start. It works fine unless you’re yanking the cord all day.
• MS 362: Includes the ElastoStart feature, which works like a mini shock absorber in the handle. It takes the bite out of pull starts, saving wear on your hands and fingers.

Both saws include:

• Decompression valve: Makes large engine starts simple.
• Adjustable oiler: Lets you set the oil flow rate to your bar and wood type, even at the homeowner level.

Feature Comparison Quick List:

• MS 391: Plastic body, basic muffler, removable nuts, standard start
• MS 362: Magnesium alloy body, stainless muffler, retained nuts, ElastoStart system

Peeling back the covers tells us even more about performance and longevity.

• MS 391: Packs a fleece filter. It’s effective, but once it’s covered in sawdust, you need to clean or swap it out.
• MS 362: Uses a gilled filter that traps debris but keeps breathing well even as it loads up. This translates to less maintenance and less chance of a clogged filter killing your power mid-job.

Upgrade note : The gilled filter from the MS 362 can fit the MS 391, so you can boost your homeowner saw’s air capacity for a small outlay.

• MS 391: Runs a traditional carburetor.
• MS 362: Available with regular carburetor or the M-Tronic electronic carburetor.

M-Tronic is STIHL’s computer-controlled carburetor. It senses operating conditions and constantly fine-tunes your fuel delivery. In real life, this means:

• Simple, one-position starting with no choke
• Automatic adjustment for hot or cold running
• No risk of flooding the engine
• Fewer pulls to get going

If you want old-school, the MS 362 is also available with a standard carburetor.

While the engine sizes are similar, these aren’t just repackaged versions of the same motor. The MS 362’s engine and internals are built for the demands of daily pro use, while the MS 391 is tuned for less frequent, heavy-duty homeowner or farm work.

The way a saw transfers power from engine to chain can make a big difference in how long it lasts and how expensive it is to maintain.

• MS 391: Features a drum-style sprocket. Replacing it costs about $28 and you have to remove the whole drum—more time, more money.
• MS 362: Comes with a rim-style sprocket, which costs just $8–$9 to swap and is much easier to change. This is handy if you want to try out new bar and chain pitches.

Pros and Cons:

• Drum Sprocket (MS 391):

  • More expensive to replace
  • Slower maintenance
  • Complete removal needed

• Rim Sprocket (MS 362):

  • Cheaper parts
  • Fast, simple removal
  • Easy to swap for chain pitch changes

• MS 391: Standard nuts that come off—easy to lose.
• MS 362: Retained nuts that stay attached—no more digging in the leaf litter.

• MS 391: Uses a lighter-duty needle cage bearing inside the clutch, which is more prone to damage over the years.
• MS 362: Steps up to a heavy-duty needle cage, making it a true workhorse for demanding tasks and long-term reliability.

Specs and features are important, but nothing replaces actually starting both saws and seeing what happens to the RPMs and chain speed.

• MS 391: Flip the master control lever all the way down to choke, hit the decompression valve, set the brake, and pull to start. A well-tested process, but can be harder on your hand after repeated starts.
• MS 362 (M-Tronic): Just move to the triangle start position—no choke or half-throttle—hit the decompression valve, set the brake, and pull. No flooding, no confusion, and it starts hot or cold.

Checking the saws with bar and chain installed, the tachometer results are clear:

• MS 391: Hits a high of about 12,000 RPM
• MS 362: Revs up to 14,000 RPM —2,000 RPM faster

That 2,000 RPM difference adds up to roughly 60 mph at the chain, which rips through wood far more quickly and cleanly. The MS 362 doesn’t just cut faster; it feels more responsive and powerful in your hands.

• The MS 362 starts faster, cranks easier (especially with M-Tronic), and cuts at a noticeably higher speed. The extra horsepower isn’t just a number—it’s something you feel, especially under big loads.
• The MS 391 still delivers reliable cutting performance and is a great fit for those who don’t need the extra speed or commercial features.

RPM Comparison Recap:

The $210 premium for the MS 362 gets you more than just pro-grade looks. The durability, speed, and handling upgrades are clear if you’re cutting every day or making your living with a saw. For most professionals—or even serious firewood cutters—the extra money up front means you’ll avoid downtime, enjoy faster work, and likely hang on to your saw much longer.

“Buy once, cry once.” It’s tough upfront, but over twenty years in the woods, the sting fades and the value becomes obvious every time you start cutting.

If you’re only using your saw a few weekends a year or on lighter jobs, the MS 391 will serve you well and save some cash. But if you want a saw you’ll never outgrow, and don’t like buying twice, the MS 362 is built to go the distance.