First post here too. I received my MS361 kit last week. I don't think it took much over 2 weeks.--Id have to check my invoices.
I have to say the parts look pretty good. The cylinder looks really good, with nothing to catch rings on around the ports. Flywheel side crank bearing has a metal ball retainer, but the PTO side is an amber colored plastic. Only problem I've noticed is the stud that the little spring connects to for the chain brake has cracked the boss in the casing where it is pressed in. I'm planning to stop-drill it and commence with the build. The crank assy does look a little rough and I've heard of cracking failures with these cranks, so I will heat the case and go easy. Planning to use oem wrist pin clips, caber rings, and oem fuel line on this build.
I would have waited on buying this kit if I had known that HL was thinking about selling kits, but I'm sure I'll get another kit down the line.