If you ever look down the bore of a Saiga, you'll see that they have nothing in common with a typical AK and certainly not an SKS. The bores are beautiful. Smooth and uniform. I mean they really look good. The piston is hard-chromed, as per military spec, not stainless steel like most kit-imported US assembled AKs. Another factor that I like a lot.
Remember, Saiga is made in Russia by Izhmash (where Mr. Kalashnikov worked and still to this day does consultation) using modern equipment and standards. This is not a 1950's surplus rifle from the communist days, nor is it a barrel/trunion kit from some other country from years back put together in the U.S..
It is a present day production rifle of Russian origin.
The cost savings area on the Saiga is simply the finish. It is some sort of paint finish and isn't the most durable against harsh cleaning products (and sometimes mild ones like Hoppes)....forunately, this type of action never requires Hoppes to get it clean. A simple CLP patch wipe down and toothbrush will get it as clean as it needs to ever be. Bore is hard chromed, and chromed very well I might add. That you can clean with ease using any chemicals you want.
At the prices they are now ($240-$265) for a .223 or x39 ..it is still the absolute best bang for the buck out there. You get the most reliable auto-loading action ever made, made well and a good barrel in a robust rifle for under $300. Cannot go wrong.
I cannot remember a single instance ever, in person or on the web, that a person bought a Saiga rifle and regretted it. It is simply why this is true. For one, the rifle is high quality - so there are no complaints. Especially not for a sub-$300 rifle.
Trust me. Get it and you will absolutely know what we've been talking about and you will say to yourself "why did I ever even consider an SKS?" ...been there done that. Had an SKS. Yuck.