Something will have to give, somewhere.
I'd also note the 1927 I-Frame Reg Police I had produced a DA trigger pull no better than a good modern J-Frame .38.
A current steel J-Frame S&W .38 Special with an action job and using standard velocity Nyclads may be one of the most practical compromises.
The steel weight mitigates recoil over a comparable plastic frame, the trigger won't be as good as the Ruger LCR, and the standard velocity Nyclad won't be quite as effective as a good +P HP, but the Nyclad does have a decent rep in its class.
There are also a number of grip options available for the J-Frame that can improve both fit in the hand and overall control.
When I worked with the .38 LCR, I got to know it quite well. It was the only centerfire handgun I've ever put over 5000 rounds through in about five sessions, and while I did like the trigger, I already had three S&W J-Frames in the caliber that were easier to shoot well for me, and nowhere near as unpleasant to shoot. Triggers admittedly were not as light, but the trigger wasn't the sole consideration, in my case. It may be for others.
Possibly if I hadn't had those (all pre-lock & pre-MIM), I might have kept the Ruger.
In saying this, I'm not knocking the centerfire LCR. Just saying it's not the best choice for everybody.
I also compared a .22 LR LCR side by side on the range to an alloy .22 LR Smith DA J-Frame.
The LCR was slightly more accurate, BUT that was firing both guns off a rest.
In actual real life use, a revolver with a single-action hammer option would trounce it in free-standing use for sheer accuracy.
I didn't keep that .22 LCR either, because it was not practical as either a defensive gun or a plinker/hunter, for me.
Inadequate ballistics, no single-action capability for longer distances & precision shooting.
Ruger sells a lot of LCRs, and obviously people do like 'em.
I merely point all this out to give my perspective of the gun as a defense piece.
If it works in your hands, great.
If it doesn't, there's no embarrassment in admitting it.
Denis