Also how do I avoid getting an sram chain with a shitty linking piece like this in the future?
Avoid getting a SRAM chain. Spring clip links are much nicer for all weather fixie bieks, because you can take the chain off for cleaning without having to buy a new master link every time. Snap-on master links like you've got are cheaper, which is why manufacturers use them. Wippermann still do spring clips on 1Z1, 100 and 108, of which the first is the first choice for all weather, but if you're the kind of tart who doesn't like the rather pale colour the others are just the same but with less corrosion resistance. KMC make a spring clip master link for their ordinary ⅛" chain, but you have to buy it separately and they supply snap links as standard. In all probability, the SRAM chain is made by KMC anyway, so there's a good chance that the spring clip made for KMC Z510 etc. will fit the SRAM PC1
Avoid getting a SRAM chain. Spring clip links are much nicer for all weather fixie bieks, because you can take the chain off for cleaning without having to buy a new master link every time. Snap-on master links like you've got are cheaper, which is why manufacturers use them. Wippermann still do spring clips on 1Z1, 100 and 108, of which the first is the first choice for all weather, but if you're the kind of tart who doesn't like the rather pale colour the others are just the same but with less corrosion resistance. KMC make a spring clip master link for their ordinary ⅛" chain, but you have to buy it separately and they supply snap links as standard. In all probability, the SRAM chain is made by KMC anyway, so there's a good chance that the spring clip made for KMC Z510 etc. will fit the SRAM PC1