"That 038M must have been whipped. They put out more HP than a 268XP and with 5cc more displacement lot more torque. No way a 268xp is twice as fast unless the 038M has a rocked chain. They do weigh about a pond more, though"
Actually, I rebuilt the 038 as it was extracted from a dumpster along with two other Stihl saws. It only required a P/C and we had it up and running. Keep in mind when you read this, that we work on saws, and get to repair and test lots of different brands and models. I'm not brand specific, just try to post usable and accurate information as I know it to be. Sometimes that will include information that some folks simply don't want to hear.
Take a Husqvarna 268XP Special with a 20" bar and cut side by side with a Stihl 038 with a 24" bar. The 038 is pretty much maxxed out with the longer bar, but does OK. The Husky will cut much, much faster. I'm also certain that the 038 would have faired better with a shorter bar.
As mentioned, our 038 Mag was a very good saw, decent power, tad heavy, etc. You only have to run a Husky 268, 272, or 372XP one time before the 038 starts spending a LOT of time on the shelf!........Cliff