Your method is the correct way, I've torn mine either, but you and I are from a different time, younger riders don't know this stuff, add to that the fact the tube manufactures have removed the reinforcement grommet they put behind the stem to keep it from tearing and you got the younger generation ripping their stems. I too have a couple of direct connect pumps, one is a (now retired) frame pump, and the other two are minis and I have yet to tear a valve but I use them the way you mentioned. And the nut that comes with some presta tubes is completely useless which is why some tubes are threadless because they know they don't need the nut, and since tubes don't need the nut then why use threaded stems if the threads will make the rubber grommet in a pump to wear out faster, so they make smooth stems.

Yes, that works but you are still expending a fair amount of effort in stabilizing the pump head and/or grinding the pump into your hand. I know all the tricks and can get the pressure of a tire up to over 100 psi with a Zefal frame pump. But after using the Topeak Morphs, I just don't see the point of all those tricks. I just put the Morph on the ground, attach the hose to the tire, and put all my effort into pumping rather than half into holding the pump and half into getting air into the tire.

+1.

IMO: for touring bicycles & kit its "function first" and then in last place comes "form".

Purchased a Topeak Road Morph G at Performance Cycle on sale for $30. It works as advertised. Pumped up a tire to 90psi with not a lot of effort. I will probably just throw mine in a pannier rather than mounting it on the bike. I carry a pannier all the time anyway.

This pretty much sums up my experience after using zefals for 2 decades, with the odd blister and sore fingers thrown in.

We use a Topeak on our tandem and mount it on our boob tube (look between our feet).
Almost a pleasure to have a flat and use this pump. 120 easy strokes = 120 lbs

I got rid of the Primus frame pump that came with my bike when it was new because I hated loosing air when disconnecting the hose on Schrader valves. The quick connect head of the Zefal made things much simpler. Now my bikes have Presta valves, but I still don't see the need to screw a hose on when the cam lock fitting is simpler. Toe-MAY-toe, toe-MAH-toe. YMMV, results not typical, and other such caveats...

The Road Morph has cam-lock:

http://www.topeak.com/mediafiles/products/3848/?show=1

Just about every pump made to be carried on a bicycle has a cam lock fitting. Lenzyne doesn't but they seem to be the exception. All of the pumps that I've seen also have a head that can be changed from Schrader to Presta and back.

You weren't losing air out of the tire, what you heard was the air pressure in the pump being released, the valve in a schrader valve snaps shut fast due to the spring with no more than 1/8th of a pound of air lost unless the valve sticks for some reason, or you remove the chuck too slowly and and allow the air in the tube to escape. Schrader valves are extremely reliable and are used in all sorts of applications including very high pressure applications and in underwater applications where the lost of air when connecting and disconnecting is critical.

So you threw away a pump for no reason...sorry.