Indeed, you don't need a shroud but the tip and gas diffuser get covered in spatter.
I cut some slits down the shroud and squashed it in to just outside the tip diameter. I haven't looked back.
On a side note, stainless flux cored should be electrode positive, as you eluded to, with the heat...
I tried to get the chuck off a Makita once and hadn't considered locktite being the problem. I suppose it makes sense, certainly from a safety point of view, and the 'buy another' economics will be a consideration.
I must say that even the low cost Hikoki comes with a lovely metal chuck.