I just love this thread. I have never tried fmq on my 301 that I can remember, but I did see a comment somewhere this past week that you couldn't use a 301 for fmq, because of the slant needle. So find this and that comment interesting, they are missing out apparently!
Also I just think it depends on what you get used to as to which foot on which machine you want to use. Sometimes it takes a few feet on a certain machine to feel right the way you want it to go. My new Janome free motions with the feed dogs up and a hopping foot and does a great job of it no problems and no friction problems with the quilt and the bed.