SaS
I agree entirely with your view.
Unfortunately, as a matter of fact, the 172R has only flaps 30 as land flap, since the 40 degree setting was deleted on the P or N model (can't remember which.) It's a shame, as that last 10 degress gave some very useful drag.
Still, it shouldn't need test pilot tricks to land
Dumping lift, once all three wheels are down, is another matter. I believe (from memory) that the POH for one series of the Cherokee 6 mentioned this in the short field landing context - but you need to have a manual flap lever and it's a technique that would make me nervous in a retract, where there's too much risk of pulling the wrong knob! And you have to do it by feel, since looking in at this stage is pretty risky.