Is there a down side?

I love the way the chrome lined bores clean up so easily and the added corrosion protection is only a plus in my view.

I have been told the choke area is not chrome lined. SXS ohio

MD*GSP - ditto that.

I have a Browning with not chrome lined bbls and a Parker Reproduction with chrome lined bbls. The chrome lined bbls clean with less effort and faster.

If all Parker Repro barrels are chrome line to handle steel shot, why is there a Steel Shot Special PR version?

The SSS is slightly over bored and choked for best steel shot patterning.
Bob Jurewicz

All, I have two Parker Reproductions with barrel modifications. One is a 3" 12 ga with aftermarket Briley Screw in chokes. The other is a 28 ga two barrel set with the 26" barrels opened to SKT & SKT then again opened more to .001 and .003 for skeet and grouse/woodcock in thick cover. No regrets.
Steve Kleist
Ely, MN

Adding to Bob’s synopsis of the SSS..

According to sales literature, the SSS was also intended to have additional weight as compared to the standard weight of the DHE. This indicates that the standard 12 ga was intended for the uplands and the SSS was intended to make heavier loads a bit easier on the shoulder.

I've heard from modern day muzzle loader shooters who shoot saboted bullets that plastic fouling\buildup is a problem, and cleaning it is a PITA. Rifling in the barrel probably contributes to this.

Speculatively, chrome plated shotgun barrels may be smoother and\or have less of an affinity for plastic fouling? If so, opening up a choke and removing the chrome plating may create a place where plastic from shot cups could build up?

I would not let that stop me from making the chokes what I wanted them to be, but there may be an added step to remove plastic fouling after a lot of shooting. Just a theory at this point.

Plastic shot cups tighten patterns versus old shells because the shot cup cushions the shot, reducing or eliminating deformation or scrubbing of the shot as it travels down the barrel. In my experience, plastic deposition is not a big deal. I've heard that modern shells pattern about one choke tighter than old shells, but haven't sween any testing to confirm that.
I shoot a lot of sporting clays, and probably don't need any special treatment more than once a year, when I spray the barrels with carb cleaner. Because our shotguns don't have rifling, cleanup is easy, and not required as frequently