Yea the knockdown makes chrome the big choice now, since it has considerable damage and you can get not one, but usually 2 shots in before someone can move (if you time it right). So thats 3 shots altogether. Plus, you got 3 pickups that a relatively easy to get.
I shouldn't say this but
Spawn sailor and pick chrome shotgun up at cherry poppers
Hit em, throw a grenade, get back, start shooting.
If you dont kill em with the bullets, grenade will (& vice versa)
For a longer use of this strategy, SS is the choice as he has 10 grenades.