Sam.
I have shot the side by side Baikal in 30.06. I did not like the feel of the rifle, it was hard to get my cheak low enough onto the stock to look through the sights. IMHO the O/U appears to have more meat around the chamber and looks to be a stronger action. The sXs is much lighter than the O/U
I can not comment on the regulating device on the sXs.
It may appeal to other people, but not to me.

Wayne