Re: cig filters staying wet, i usually actually pierce into them with the tip, rest/dip it into the spoon/cooker, draw up, then at the end push any air out and then squeeze it with my (clean) fingers while pulling back on the plunger again, can get an extra 0.1-0.2ml of shot this way.
OR be a typical junky and make your friends shot first and dont squeeze the filter then make your own and squeeze their extra little bit in your shot
Some people say piercing the filter can blunt the needle, i dont see it doing it, especially if you slip it in nice and gently, but unless you're using 1ml fixed you can always swap to a new head after drawing up anyway