Riveting
I worked as an AIRCRAFT MECH for 43 years and LOTS of rivet experience.
The problem with riveting a link on a chain is not to set it too tight, when chains are assembled the rivet machine is set to stop after so many beats and also the driver(we call it the set) has a shoulder to stop it from setting the rivet too tight, if you pinch the links with the side plate, it wears out real quick.
The riveted link would actually be stronger but the problem is a proper install!!!
Xnavylfr(CHUCK)