"Chris, perhaps part of the confusion on the APM is that the store doesn't always link to itself for that item.  For example, on the ArduCopter Quad v1.0 KIT, Partial Electronics page under the "You Still Need" section, the link for the APM is to…"

"I am concerned by the description of your soldering technique and would like to clarify for the benefit of others.

"Just drill 3 holes, put in your barrel plugs (will also work with the male ends), heat, dump in some solder and hold the wire in…"