Shouldn't be messing with the strain screw on any S&W revolver. As you loosen the screw, even slightly, reliability become an issue. Same goes for changing the internal springs. I see it all the time, "my gun won't shoot brand X of ammunition" or "every once in a while the gun fails to discharge". Nine out of ten times, the gun has been either modified or the strain screw has come loose or loosened.
Yes, the triggers in these air lites suck, but they're very reliable with all type of ammunitions. And for their intended purpose, a eight or ten pound trigger is not such a bad idea. Seen older air lites and the triggers do smooth out. I have a Scandium gun with about 200 rounds shot in it and trigger has become smoother and lighter.
Although I have had bad experience with Taurus revolvers, they do tend to have a better trigger pull in frames of this size. And since your state does not believe in you protecting yourself, the gun will function more as a range toy rather defensive weapon. I'd consider function and ease to shoot over reliability.
That makes it a tough choice between spending $540 on a Smith & Wesson that still needs about seventy to one hundred bucks worth of smithing work done to make you satisfied. Or $400 on a Taurus firearm that is satisfying right out of the box.
Gabriel
