Here's some suggestions, from years of shooting revolvers and j-frames (and eventually getting pretty good with the little guys).
1. Dry fire - it helps build your ability to get and keep a good sight picture as you let the shot break. I set my standard as hitting the steel plates (or a paper plate) regularly at 25 yards (and beyond). Sight picture and good trigger control, are really critical here. You must be much more exact with a 2" barrel than with a 4" or 6". At longer distances, I like practicing some from a firm kneeling position.
2. Have the gun tuned by a good pistol smith. Jim Clark's shop in LA (the state, not the city!) will do a DA service action job for under $70.
3. If you don't want to go that route, get a replacement, lighter-weight mainspring and trigger return spring. Buy one of the sets sold by Brownells. You can install it yourself if you are at all handy, and ahve some dissembly instructions. Install, and clean and lube wiht a good modern lube. (I like TetraGun.)
I don't recommend any other home gunsmithing! After swapping out the springs, test fire the gun for about 50 rounds with your carry ammo. I've used these replacement springs on a number of gun without a problem.
4. Brownells also sells several action lubricating compounds which can help smooth an action. Action Magic II is one.
5. Shoot a LOT with mild target loads.
6. Get some good grips, and try several. I like the Secret Service grips in rosewood, sold by Eagle grips. Or try rubber Packmayers or try Hogues. Try some out, and re-sell any you don't like. Grip size, form and material will affect your shooting a lot.
8. Put a dab of red or orange enamel paint on the front sight blade.
9. The Fed 125-grain nyclads are good, but fi yu can take the recoil use the 158-gr LSWCHP, +p.
10. Staging the trigger is risky and of doubtful utility in the stress of a life-threatening situation. Practice a smooth DA pull. Speed will come on its own with time and effort. I like to tell my CCW stdunets that they shouild press the trigger ina smooth steady way, so as to not disturb the sight alignment. Dry fire a LOT. With time you will compress the press into less time.
11. In gripping the gun, make sure you exert firm, rearward pressure with your middle and ring fingers. A grip exerciser helps. When using both hands, make sure your grip is solid.
12. In close-in shooting, practice some with one hand, and when you do, strongly pull your other arm close to your chest. Your fist should press against your breastbone. This helps get your whole body into the shooting effort. Lean a BIT forward into the recoil. Try shooting with a locked elbow, and them with a slightly bent arm - and see which you like best.