Stihl MS 311 vs MS 362: My Honest Test

It was a cold Tuesday morning late in October. The air was crisp. I stood in my backyard looking at a massive oak tree that had come down. It was a huge job.

I looked down at my trusty Stihl MS 311. I wondered, “Do I have enough gun for this fight?”

I have run the MS 311 for years. It is a classic “Farm Boss” style saw. It is tough. It is reliable. But I knew what was coming. After a few hours of cutting logs, my back would ache. My arms would feel like jelly.

I had heard rumors about the Stihl MS 362 C-M. People called it a “forever saw.” They said it was lighter and smarter. So, I bit the bullet. I borrowed one to see if the hype was real.

Here is what I found when I put these two beasts head-to-head.

The Weight Difference is Real

Let’s be honest. Chainsaws get heavy.

The first thing I noticed was the weight. The MS 311 is not light. It weighs about 13.7 pounds for just the engine. Add a bar, chain, and gas, and it is a workout.

When I picked up the MS 362, I almost laughed. It felt wrong. It felt like something was missing. It weighs about 12.35 pounds.

That 1.3-pound gap does not sound like much on paper. But when you swing that saw for four hours? It is huge.

Plastic vs. Metal

Why is the weight so different? It comes down to how they are built.

The MS 311 is what pros call a “clamshell” saw. The engine sits in a plastic housing. This design is cheap to make. It is very tough. But it adds bulk.

The MS 362 is a pro saw. It uses a magnesium crankcase. Magnesium is light. It is also strong.

Magnesium handles heat better, too. This is why pros love it. It feels snappy in your hands. It does not drag you down.

The “Smart” Engine

This was the part I doubted the most. The MS 362 has a system called M-Tronic.

My old MS 311 has a standard carburetor. It has screws you turn to tune it. If it is cold, I have to adjust it. If I don’t, it runs rough.

The MS 362 has a tiny computer chip. It tunes itself.

I remember starting the 362 that morning. It was freezing out. Usually, I have to fiddle with the choke on my 311. I pull the cord five times. It coughs. It sputters. I wait.

With the 362? I put it in the “start” position. I pulled the cord. Boom.

It roared to life. It adjusted the fuel mix instantly. No bogging down. No stalling. It just wanted to eat wood.

Performance

The biggest difference shows up when you work.

The MS 311 feels like a heavy tank. It is built for farm chores. The MS 362 feels like a snappy race car.

I put them to work on that cord of firewood.

1. Power and Speed

The MS 311 has plenty of grunt. But in the thickest oak logs, it bogged down a bit. I had to ease off.

The MS 362 just kept screaming. It chewed through the wood. It did not slow down. It did not need a break.

2. Comfort and Vibration

By lunch, I noticed something else. My hands were not numb.

The heavy MS 311 drags me down by the end of the day. It uses rubber buffers to stop vibration. They are okay.

The MS 362 uses springs. These anti-vibe springs saved my hands. I felt fresh even after cutting for hours.

Which Saw Should You Buy?

I won’t lie to you. The price gap is big. You can buy a lot of gas for the difference in cost.

Stick with the Stihl MS 311 if:

• You only cut wood a few times a year.
• You are on a budget.
• You don’t mind a heavier tool.

It is still a great saw. It will last a long time if you care for it.

Buy the Stihl MS 362 C-M if:

• You cut firewood for heat every winter.
• You hate fiddling with carb screws.
• You want to save your back.
• You want a tool that makes you smile every time you start it.

For me? I can’t go back. Once you feel that lightweight power and that instant start, everything else feels like a toy. The MS 362 is a beast.

FAQs – Stihl MS 311 vs MS 362