038 Mag vs MS440

[blsnelling]

I still haven't gotten this 038 Mag I just restored into any wood. It feels great in the hand. I can see it becoming a favorite. Anyway, I'm just curious how it should compare in the cut to a MS440. They're very close is CCs and in max RPMs. I'll be outfitting it with a 24" bar. Who's run them both?

 

[041fboss]

have not ran the 440.....but with most cases..... newer is faster....but you cant beat old school torque and power...jmo

 

[ralawler]

I've got a 038mag and a ms460 that i sold my son-in-law and I never thought to compare them. I've even run one then picked up the other. It just never dawned on me I guess. I do like my 038 though!

 

[041fboss]

must not have ran either saw much or you would know for sure...

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

i had 2 038 mags and thats one of my favorite saws ever...ive never had a 440 to compare it to so i cant say much about that.

 

[Justsaws]

Similar set ups on both the 044 is the better saw at the end of the day.

Faster, smoother, and easier to use.

The 038s are well built excellent examples of their era but they met their match with the 036/044s. A great example of engineering progress..

 

[ralawler]

I run the 038 everyday this time of year. don't run the 460 unless me and my son-in-law are doing a job together. He's run both and never commented either. I'm not saying the 038 will run with a 460 at all. I just never thought about it. both are great saws. both get the job done!!!

 

[Brushwacker]

For limbing I prefer the 044 hands down. Just easiar moving limb to limb especially hardwoods making firewood. Bucking up logs the O38 mag feels nice with its lower end torque characteristics and the weight can be benificial in the cut. I think all things = DP, chain, etc. the 044 might go a little faster if you use the dawgs so whatever a person feels most comfortable with would be the deciding factor. If you trade off during the course of a long day it may spread the workload on your body, for instance I would stand straight up more with a heavy saw bucking up logs, then working a lighter saw buckin I use the dawgs more which in average logs here bends my body more , but I manage to sit a few seconds here and there through some cuts and ease stress on the body parts that feel it.

 

[Jacob J.]

In addition to the above comments, the 038 can run all day and not get 'heat stressed'. At the end of 6-7 hours of hard timber falling, I often notice that my 440/460 isn't running quite as good as it did at the beginning of the day.

The 038 stays tight, the case dissipates heat well and the saw is just solid.

 

[blsnelling]

In addition to the above comments, the 038 can run all day and not get 'heat stressed'. At the end of 6-7 hours of hard timber falling, I often notice that my 440/460 isn't running quite as good as it did at the beginning of the day.

The 038 stays tight, the case dissipates heat well and the saw is just solid.

I noticed during my idle/throttle blipping heat cycles that the cylinder fins didn't heat up like I'm used to.

 

[davefr]

I've run my 038 Super along with 440's and 044's. It's hard to explain but there's just something about 038's that says, "put me to work".

At the end of the day I doubt there will be much difference in productivity other then the fact that the 440 is a lighter saw. 038's weight within a lb. of a 660.

The 044/440 family also has superior filtration.

 

[Lakeside53]

I'd love an 038Mag2 with a choke in the carb and an HD filter set.. Oh, 044 control lever...

Might just have to mod one..

 

[blsnelling]

How do you propose to do the HD filter? I'm assuming you wouldn't have a filter cover. What's wrong with the control lever?

 

[Lakeside53]

The control lever on the 038 and 28 is really unreliable with respect to the high interlock transitioning to idle, and ignition spring. Replacing just the spring is often a waste. I replace many of them per month (mostly 028 due to higher sales). Often the tank wears where the shaft is inserted. PITA.. However... With a new pair, I could live with it...

The HD would require fabrication of a filter base (easy - just a plate adater machined to fit) and filter cover (harder if you want it to look nice, but something like the 044).

Carb - probably just an 044 HD... and have a choke switch on the side.

 

[HolmenTree]

I owned all the 038s up to the 72cc mag. and compared to my 044 I would pick the 044 to do some serious cutting. But having said that , I have never owned a saw like the 038 that was so easy to pull the carb off and install a new carb kit.Very easy saw to work on. I always believed with a larger carb venturi the 038 would have have been alot better performer as I have done with some of my 038s, but then I quess for the long haul longevity and fuel economy would be compromised.

 

[HolmenTree]

Yes the 038 airfilter choke was a good idea but how many of you pulled its starter rope foreever until you figured out the flap wasn't closing tightly against the carb. Or when the little spring weakened and the saw ran rich.

 

[Lakeside53]

lolol.. been there... Starts fine, idles great, runs like crap... flapping choke...

Found that after rebuilding the carb, ignition, pressure testing the saw... blah blah blah...

 

[Erick]

Yes the 038 airfilter choke was a good idea but how many of you pulled its starter rope foreever until you figured out the flap wasn't closing tightly against the carb. Or when the little spring weakened and the saw ran rich.

lolol.. been there... Starts fine, idles great, runs like crap... flapping choke...

Found that after rebuilding the carb, ignition, pressure testing the saw... blah blah blah...

LOL been there done that.

 

[teacherman]

038 Mag v. Mag 2

What is the difference between the 038 Mag and the Mag 2? think there are a few ccs diif., but I am not sure. I have a Mag that is like new, and it has as much compression as the new 460 but no decomp. Has a different sound which is cool, but cuts a bit slower than the 044. Seems to top out at a lower rpm. Sound is cool though.

 

[davefr]

What is the difference between the 038 Mag and the Mag 2? think there are a few ccs diif., but I am not sure. I have a Mag that is like new, and it has as much compression as the new 460 but no decomp. Has a different sound which is cool, but cuts a bit slower than the 044. Seems to top out at a lower rpm. Sound is cool though.

Yes, 038's sound like big block V-8's compared to twin turbo 6's. Maybe that's why I'm attracted to using them.