I always seem to land better in gusty winds or other external factors. I think it's just because I'm using more control inputs in the final few hundred feet as opposed to a completely calm approach that requires minimal input. When I have to fly it all the way to the ground, those last 50 feet or so don't seem to hold any surprises.
My worst landings are always when the aircraft light. I've not heard that it was due to the struts not compressing as much. I thought it was a mental thing.