Dear Dan;
The 'plain' non-chrome rings are softer and break in right away.
The chrome are considered stronger and used in most 'high perfornance'/high compression engines and those runing NOS. Many use them, just because of the chrome and they take longer to break in because of this.
Some feel that special honeing is required for chrome. Contact Ken at Design Performance for details.
Some feel that chrome ones last longer, but that's dependant on how the engine is operated and maintained.
Good luck.
