Beyond the point where controllability and durability begin to suffer, lightness becomes a liability.
It's an obvious trade-off of carry ease vs. shooting ease. Where one comes out on the trade-off is a personal decision. Certainly if you don't shoot a gun well because it's too light.... maybe get a heavier one?
I pocket carry Speer Gold Dot Short-Barrel .357s in an M&P340 (13.3oz). I'm SO not saying that's the "ideal" setup for everybody, but I like it very much.
Carried an all steel j-frame .38 before, and the reduced weight is WAY worth the trade-off to me. I shoot and control the 340 just as well. It's admittedly not as comfortable to shoot, but I say "so what?" I don't know if I'd notice the slightly heavier weight of the modern 38s (carrying or shooting).
Having said that, if $$$ are even a small consideration, a 15oz Airweight with +Ps is a much, much better value. I have close to $900 in my snub ($605 gun + 260 S&W CT grips + tax). It hurts to even type that!!
Nothing like spending 1911 money on a snub-nosed revolver!
[EDIT] Ok, re-read original post. Sorry for my off-topic BS above. Here's my answer given price and weight goals: Smith 442, street price around $380. I would opt for hammerless. In my dumb text above, the steel j had a hammer, and yes, you had to be very careful not to snag it drawing out of a pocket, but it can be done with practice. The 340 is hammerless, and presents very, very quickly.