Maybe, but unless you’re a Ruger employee in accounting or engineering that is just your opinion. The only ones who know the actual rationale are not you or I.
Even if it is a cost cutting measure, if it is still as durable, and results in just as good or better performance than an old style barrel... what’s the problem?
For reference Grant Cunningham doesn’t seem to take issue with the tensioned sleeved barrels in a Korth. They have a reputation for being very accurate, and they are sure not built with budget considerations in mind....
http://www.grantcunningham.com/2016...vers-made-korth-is-finally-coming-to-the-u-s/