Stihl MS 390 Production Years (History Guide)

The Stihl MS 390 is commonly listed as a model made from about 2000 to 2012, though dates may vary by market. Treat that range as a guide, not a serial-number cutoff. To identify a particular saw, check its model label and serial number, then confirm the details and parts fit with Stihl documentation or an authorized dealer.

Are you looking at an MS 390 for firewood, property work, or a used-saw purchase? Its age matters, but a year alone cannot tell you whether a saw is genuine, well cared for, or right for the job. I use the production range as a starting point, then verify the machine itself.

The MS 390 is a 64.1 cm³ gasoline saw built for substantial cutting work. It is not a light pruning saw. Because surviving examples can be many years old, the condition of the engine, safety parts, and support available for repair may matter more than the stated model year.

MS 390 production years: the reliable range

The MS 390 is commonly reported as having been produced from approximately 2000 to 2012. This range is useful for placing the model in Stihl’s lineup, but it does not establish the build date of a specific saw or prove that every market followed the same timeline.

Public references do not always give matching start and end dates. Models may reach different markets at different times, and a product can remain in a dealer’s stock after production ends. For those reasons, treat “2000–2012” as an approximate production era rather than a factory record.

When I assess a used MS 390, I avoid assigning a precise year unless I can support it with model-specific records. A seller’s estimate can be useful, but it is not the same as a confirmed build date. Takeaway: use the approximate production range to narrow the era, not to authenticate an individual saw.

How to identify and date a specific MS 390

A model label identifies the saw’s stated model, while a serial number helps distinguish one machine from another. Neither should be treated as a stand-alone guarantee of age or authenticity. Compare the markings with Stihl’s applicable records and ask a dealer to verify uncertain or damaged identification.

Start with the identification label on the saw. Record the model name and the full serial number exactly as shown. Do not rely on a partial number or a photo that hides worn or altered characters. Then contact Stihl or an authorized dealer and ask whether the number and model details match their records.

A serial number may be used by the manufacturer or dealer to identify a machine, but buyers should not assume there is a universal public chart that translates every MS 390 number into a production year. If a seller provides a year, ask what record supports it. A receipt or dated service record can help establish when the saw was sold or repaired, though it may not prove its original production date.

Checks that can reveal a questionable listing

Look for agreement between the model marking, serial number, and the saw’s overall configuration. Ask for clear photos of the identification label, both sides of the powerhead, and the bar and chain markings. If a number appears ground off, covered, or changed, pause the purchase and request verification.

A genuine label alone is not proof that every part is original. Used saws may have replacement covers, bars, or other parts. Likewise, a mismatch in a replaceable component does not by itself prove fraud. The useful question is whether the machine’s identity and parts can be verified.

Takeaway: have the full serial number checked through an official channel before treating a claimed year or identity as settled.

What the MS 390 specifications tell you

Specifications help confirm that a listing describes the right model and help you judge whether it suits your work. Published figures can vary by market and measurement method, so check the manual for the particular saw. Powerhead weight excludes the bar, chain, and fuel.

A 16–20 inch bar is a practical general-purpose range for many tasks, but it is not a universal approval for every MS 390 setup. Use only a bar length, chain, and sprocket combination approved for the saw. Chain gauge and drive-link count depend on the bar and sprocket fitted, so check their markings instead of guessing.

A longer bar increases the load on the saw and does not make a cut safer or replace sound technique. Wood species alone does not decide the right bar length. Consider the log’s size and condition, the chain setup, your skill, and the manufacturer’s approved combinations.

Takeaway: confirm the complete bar, chain, and sprocket match, not just the bar length.

Choosing a used MS 390: condition matters more than year

An older saw can be a sound purchase, but its age makes inspection and parts support important. A claimed production year cannot reveal how the machine was stored, maintained, or repaired. Before buying, check its identity, safety equipment, basic operation, and the availability of model-specific service.

I treat a used-saw inspection as a series of checks, not a quick test-start. Ask the seller whether the saw has been serviced and whether any major parts have been replaced. If possible, have a qualified service provider inspect it before purchase, especially if it will be used for regular work.

Check that the chain brake, throttle lockout, chain catcher, handles, and controls are present and work as intended. Look at the bar rails, chain, sprocket, and visible powerhead for wear or damage. A saw that starts is not automatically a safe saw; damage or a missing safety part should be addressed before cutting.

Example: a listing with a claimed year

Suppose a seller describes an MS 390 as a 2010 model but has no receipt or service record. The label shows “MS 390,” and the serial number is readable. That supports checking the saw’s identity, but it does not independently prove the 2010 date.

In that case, ask a Stihl dealer to verify the number and ask the seller for any dated records. Then assess the saw’s condition and parts availability. If the year cannot be confirmed, record it as an MS 390 from the approximate production era rather than paying extra for an unverified date.

Example: a bar or chain that does not match

A used MS 390 may have a replacement bar. Read the bar’s pitch, gauge, and drive-link information, then compare them with the chain and sprocket. If those parts do not match, do not run the saw until the setup has been corrected with approved components.

This is a practical distinction: a replaceable bar may be normal, while an incompatible cutting setup is a problem to fix. Takeaway: value the saw by verified identity, condition, and service support, not by a precise year claim alone.

Safe setup and operation for an older MS 390

The MS 390 is a substantial gasoline saw intended for ground-based cutting work within the operator’s training and site limits. Before using a used example, confirm that its safety systems work and follow the manual for that saw. No production year makes unsafe technique or a damaged machine acceptable.

Wear chainsaw-rated leg protection, boots, gloves, eye and ear protection, and a helmet where required by the work. Check the chain brake, throttle lockout, catcher, handles, chain tension, bar, and controls. Assess footing, overhead hazards, tree lean, dead limbs, bystanders, and escape routes before cutting.

Start on firm ground with the chain brake engaged and follow the correct cold- or warm-start method in the manual. Never drop-start the saw. Before cutting, check that the chain stays still at idle and that the brake functions.

Keep a firm two-handed grip and stable footing. Avoid contact with the upper quadrant of the bar nose: if it strikes wood or another object, the saw can kick back abruptly toward the operator. A chain brake is an important safety feature, but it does not make nose contact safe.

For tree felling, use a planned notch, sound hinge, and clear escape route. Do not fell a tree beyond your training, the site conditions, or the equipment’s capability. If the tree, lean, or surroundings make the job uncertain, get help from a trained professional.

Takeaway: use the manual for the exact saw, and do not let a familiar model name lower your safety checks.

Maintenance, storage, and parts checks

Routine care helps an older saw remain dependable, but it cannot reverse wear or repair damage. Follow the specific manual and use parts that fit the installed configuration. If the saw has an unknown repair history or a running fault, have a qualified technician inspect it before continued use.

Stihl specifies a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-stroke-oil ratio when using suitable oil approved for air-cooled two-stroke engines. Follow the manual for the particular saw and the oil maker’s directions. Never run straight gasoline or use an incorrect mix; inadequate lubrication can cause rapid engine damage.

After work, engage the brake, stop the engine, and let the saw cool before refueling or servicing. Clean the air filter, bar groove, and oil hole. Inspect the chain, bar rails, and sprocket. Stop if the chain is dull, damaged, or mismatched; sharpen or replace it rather than forcing it through wood.

For storage, handle fuel according to the manual and local fire-safety rules. Keep the saw in a safe, dry place, away from ignition sources. For a part replacement, provide the dealer with the model and serial number, plus the markings from the bar and chain. This reduces the risk of ordering a part based on a broad model-year guess.

Frequently asked questions

These answers summarize the points most buyers need when dating, checking, or preparing an MS 390. For a specific saw, its label, serial number, manual, and verified parts records take priority over a general production-era estimate.

What years was the Stihl MS 390 made?
It is commonly listed as produced from approximately 2000 to 2012. Dates can vary by market, so use this as an era guide.

Can I tell the exact year from the serial number?
Do not assume a public serial-number chart will provide a reliable year. Ask Stihl or an authorized dealer to verify the specific number.

Does a 2012 sale date prove the saw was made in 2012?
No. A dealer may sell a saw after its production, and a sale record does not always establish the build date.

What engine size is the MS 390?
The MS 390 has 64.1 cm³ displacement.

How much does the MS 390 weigh?
Its dry powerhead weight is about 6.4 kg (14.1 lb), excluding the bar, chain, and fuel.

What fuel mix does it use?
Stihl specifies a 50:1 gasoline-to-approved two-stroke-oil ratio. Confirm the instructions for the specific saw and oil.

What bar length should I use?
A 16–20 inch bar is a practical general-purpose range, but use only an approved combination. Match the bar, chain, and sprocket.

Are all MS 390 chains the same gauge and length?
No. Gauge and drive-link count depend on the fitted bar and sprocket. Check component markings before buying a chain.

Is the MS 390 a lightweight pruning saw?
No. It is a 64.1 cm³ saw for substantial cutting work. Choose equipment and tasks that fit your training and conditions.

How can I check whether a used MS 390 is genuine?
Compare the model label and full serial number with Stihl or an authorized dealer. Also inspect the saw and ask for service or purchase records.

What should I check before running one?
Check its safety parts, controls, chain tension, bar, and chain. Start according to the manual, confirm the chain stays still at idle, and stop if a part is damaged or mismatched.

The most defensible way to date an MS 390 is to combine its model identification with verified records, while treating 2000–2012 as an approximate era. For a purchase, condition, safe configuration, and access to correct parts are more useful than an unsupported exact-year claim.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Elliott Fowler. Visit our Meet the Team page.)