Lateral 'Play' on Main Gear Shaft - (Abu/Shimano)

[josephcsylvia]

Hey guys I know this is an old thread but I found it needing help and here is what I found out,

I have a new Shimano Tranx 500 pg and I noticed lateral play when pushing or pulling lightly on the drag/ handle assembly, very little but just enough to notice. I called Shimano and they said this is intentional in case sand or corrosion was to get into the gears it would keep it from locking up. makes sense but do you believe this? is this really normal??