Yes, that is the proper procedure. However, with the safety on, you do not have to "pre cock" the hammer. I believe that is there as a drop safety, so that the hammer isn't in direct contact with the firing pin. Since the safety blocks the firing pin, you can let it all the way down. The trigger will work as DA in either case.

And yes, you can just let the hammer drop with the safety on, although i don't like to do it. I imagine it's bad for the hammer...that being said I do still do it. I dry fire a lot and I always keep the thumb safety engaged when doing so.

On that same note I have a question regarding my son's P22. It seems that if the hammer is back and the clip is removed then you cannot decock the gun until a clip is put in - is that correct?

Yes, it has a magazine safety. Without a magazine fully inserted, the trigger does nothing, and you cannot drop the hammer.

I assumed but thought I would ask anyways - thanks for the reply bdp2000