Switching the ESC to Motor wires like that is normal. On brushless, sensorless motor like we use, there is no specific polarity for the three wires from the ESC.

Generally, you connect them up, test the motor to see which way it's turned, and if it's not right, you can swap any two wires from the motor, to reverse the direction.

As for the blades, I was told by some very experienced people that you should tighten them just enough, so that when you turn the heli on it's side, and give it a bumb with your hand, the blades DON'T fall on their own. You should still be able to move them pretty easily though.